24 + STAFF PICKS

December 12, 2024 by Andrea Paschal in CIMS Charts

Hi Everyone,

Before we lose everyone to the holiday season, I want to say thank you to everyone that showed us support this year. Whether you supported the CIMS organization or marketing programs, brought great titles to RSD/RSD BF or RSD Essentials and ThinkIndie, contributed to our annual Summer Camp Conference, or just spent time in the bins shopping one of our stores, thank you for all of your contributions to keeping indie retail strong. I hope you all have a happy and healthy Holiday season. I look forward to working with you in 2025.
To round up the year, here are our lists of the music that kept CIMS/ThinkIndie HQ moving in 2024.

Enjoy!
Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

ANDREA PASCHAL
***CIMS/THINKINDIE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR***

Lucky 13 for 2024!

1) Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds- Wild God
2) The Cure- Songs of a Lost World
3) Justice- Hyperdrama
4) Laetitia Sadier- Rooting for Love
5) Metz-Up on Gravity Hill
6) Ibibio Sound Machine- Pull the Rope
7) Les Savy Fav- Oui
8) Chromeo- Adult Contemporary
9) Floating Points- Cascade
10) Juniore- Trois, Deux,Un
11) La Femme- Rock Machine
12) Mdou Moctar- Funeral for Justice
13) Fontaines D.C.- Romance

LIZ BOGER
***CIMS SALES & MARKETING***

Coin/ I’m Not Afraid of Music Anymore
Charlie XCX/ BRAT
Waxahatchee/ Tigers Blood
Sabrina Carpenter/ Short n’ Sweet
Vampire Weekend/ Only God was Above Us
Fontaines DC/ Romance
Billie Eilish/ Hit Me Hard and Soft
Hovvdy/ Hovvdy
Clairo/ Charm
Megan Thee Stallion/ MEGAN
Goth Babe/ Lola

BLAKE WIMBERLY
***CIMS/THINKINDIE NPC***

lp
donato dozzy- *magda* (spazio disponibile)
the cure- *songs of a lost world* (lost music ltd.)
loidis- *one day* (incienso)
florian t m zeisig- *planet inc* (stroom)
j. albert- I want to be good so bad (self-released)

ep
trickpony- *pillow talk* (step ball chain)
burroughs- *half light ep* (seventh sign recordings)
marcellus pittman- eastside ep (adeen records)
mute, gerd jansen- *direct cuts redux* (running back)
mute, gerd jansen- *direct cuts ii* (running back)

**track**
alex kassian, mad professor- “e2 – e4 (mad professor’s quantas crazy mix” (test pressing records)
carré- “fawn” (spe:c)
habibi- “on the road” (kill rock stars)
freestyle man- “imela limppu (deep mix)” (moodmusic)
jiraffe- out’a the box (still music)
pletnev- “rubber duck riot” (r.a.n.d. muzik / echocentric)
denzel curry- “hot one” (ph / loma vista)
fields of mist- “astral projection spores” (illian tape)
eden burns- “where were u in 92?” (public possession)
ride- “last frontier” (wichita recordings)

ASHLEY VASKE
***CIMS/THINKINDIE ACCOUNTING***

Favorite 2024 Albums:

Bat For Lashes: *The Dream of Delphi*
The Cure: *Songs Of A Lost World*
Crowded House: *Gravity Stairs*
A Place To Bury Strangers: *Synthesizer*
Charley Crockett: *$10 Cowboy*
Sierra Ferrell: *Trail Of Flowers*
Nala Sinephro: *Endlessness*
Arooj Aftab: *Night Reign*
Jessica Pratt: *Here in the Pitch*
Mdou Moctar: *Funeral for Justice*
La Femme: *Rock Machine*
Ralph Beaubrun: *ID.1 EP*

SCOTT REGISTER
***THINKINDIE A&R***

My annual baker’s dozen of some of my favorites. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. Thanks for all you do for indie retail.

1. MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks – ANTI- Epitaph
2. Andrew Gabbard – Ramble & Rave On – Colemine Records
3. Madi Diaz – Weird Faith – ANTI-
4. The Damnwells – Bad At Beautiful – Self-Released
5. Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood – ANTI-
6. The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World – Capitol Records
7. Mustafa – Dunya - Jagjaguwar
8. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland – Acony Records
9. Katie Gavin – What A Relief – Saddest Factory Records
10. The Hanseroth Twins – Vera - Atlantic
11. Pete Yorn – The Hard Way – Shelly Records
12. David Gilmour – Luck and Strange – Legacy Recordings
13. Christian Lee Hutson – Paradise Pop. 10 – ANTI-

RUSSELL COTHRAN
***THINKINDIE SALES & MARKETING***

Top 25 From 24’

1. The Cure- Songs Of A Lost World
2. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds- Wild God
3. Beth Gibbons- Lives Outgrown
4. Faye Webster- Underdressed At The Symphony
5. The Smile- Cutouts
6. DIIV- Frog In Boiling Water
7. St. Vincent- All Born Screaming
8. The Smile- Wall Of Eyes
9. Charles Lloyd- The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow
10. Softcult- Heaven
11. Fontaines DC- Romance
12. Future Islands- People Who Aren’t There Anymore
13. LCD Soundsystem- X-Ray Eyes
14. Karen O & Dangermouse- Super Breath
15. Wisp- Pandora
16. Clairo- Charm
17. Thom Yorke- OST Confidenza
18. Justice- Hyperdrama
19. Adi Oasis- Lotusglow
20. Laetitia Sadier- Rooting For Love
21. Kim Gordon- The Collective
22. Not Waving- Wings Of Desire
23. Waxahatchee- Tigers Blood
24. Mk.gee- Two Star & The Dream Police
25. ScHoolboy Q- Blue Lips

CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 12/7/23 + STAFF PICKS

December 14, 2023 by Andrea Paschal in CIMS Charts

Hi Everyone,

On October 19, the Coalition of Independent Music Stores along with AIMS, DORS, FAMS and Amoeba Music released a public statement in opposition to Luminate's decision to change the way sales from independent record stores are reported. Yesterday it was announced that Luminate will move forward with this change starting Week 1 2024. Our opposition to this change still stands.

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

ANDREA PASCHAL
CIMS/THINKINDIE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Andrea’s favorite albums of 2023 (in no particular order)

1. Jungle- *Volcano*
2. Blonde Redhead- *Sit down for Dinner*
3. Gorillaz- *Cracker Island*
4. Alabaster Deplume- *Come with Fierce Grace*
5. Oneohtrix Point Never-*Again*
6. Allison Goldfrapp- *The Love Invention*
7. La Femme- *Paris- HawaÏ*
8. Thomas Bangalter- *Mythologies*
9. Julia Holter- *Behind the Wallpaper*
10. Blur- *Ballad of Darren*
11. Beach House- *Become EP*

LIZ BOGER
CIMS SALES & MARKETING

In no particular order:

Cannons/ Heartbeat Highway
Holly Humberstone/ Paint My Bedroom Black
Local Natives/ Time Will Wait For No One
Feist/ Multitudes
Caroline Polachek/ Desire, I Want to Turn Into You
Various Artists / Barbie the Album
Arlo Parks/ My Soft Machine
Slowdive/ Everything is Alive
Sigur Rós/ ÁTTA
Palehound/ Eye on the Bat
M83/ Fantasy
Samia/Honey

BLAKE WIMBERLY
CIMS/THINKINDIE A.I.

lp
Hotline TNT- Cartwheel (Third Man)
Various- Gaia: Selected Ambient & Downtempo Works, 1996 - 2003 (Music From Memory)
Wallace- Ripples (Rhythm Section International)
µ-Ziq- 1997 (Balmat)
Slowdive- everything is alive (Dead Oceans)

ep
Gigi Testa- Jinja (Rush Hour)
Space Ghost- Aquarium Nightclub Reworks (Tartelet Records)
Trinidadian Deep- Erotic Sonics (WIP Music)
Larry Heard- Vault Sessions 2 (Alleviated Music)
Buttechno- Minimal Cuts II (Incienso)

track
Django Django, Yuuko Sings- "Don't Touch That Dial - Make A Dance Remix" (Because Music Ltd.)
Rhode & Brown, Kid Simius- "Suite Tropical" (Shall Not Fade LTD)
Fred P- "On The Beach" (Private Society)
Eden Burns, Christopher Tubbs- "Timmy's Dream - Monday 5am Mix" (Public Possession)
Soichi Terada- "Bamboo Fighter - Byron The Aquarius Remix" (Rush Hour)
Third Wife- "Ride or Die" (Concrete Lab)
Latrec- "Kutika" (Viscera Transmissions)
Known Artist- "I Need - Club Mix" (Club Mix Records)
DJ Immaterial- "Purple Evil" (Geothermal Records)
Barry Can't Swim- "Sunsleeper" (Ninja Tune)

mix
Chaos In The CBD- Fabric Presents: Chaos In The CBD (Fabric Records)

ASHLEY VASKE
CIMS/THINKINDIE ACCOUNTING
**My Favorites of 2023:**
Gorillaz: *Cracker Island*
Feist: *Multitudes*
Braids: *Euphoric Recall*
La Femme: *Paris-Hawaï*
Jenny Lewis: *Joy’All*
Far From Saints: *Far From Saints*
Alabaster DePlume: *Come With Fierce Grace*
Explosions In The Sky: *End*
The Chemical Brothers: *For That Beautiful Feeling*
Cherry Glazerr: *I Don’t Want You Anymore*
Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily: *Love in Exile*
The Kills: *God Games*

RUSSELL COTHRAN
THINKINDIE SALES & MARKETING

24 From 23’
1. Slowdive- Everything Is Alive
2. Sigur Ros- Atta
3. Beach House- Become
4. Submotion Orchestra- Unplugged Vol II
5. Deeper- Careful
6. Debby Friday- Good Luck
7. Laurel Halo- Atlas
8. Depeche Mode- Memento Mori’
9. Jpeg Mafia & Danny Brown- Scaring The Hoes
10. James Blake- Playing Robots Into Heaven
11. Luke Schneider- It Is Solved By Walking
12. The Kills- God Games
13. Murray A. Lightburn- Once Upon A Time In Montreal
14. Sofia Kourtesis- Madres
15. David Holmes & Raven Violet- Blind On A Galloping Horse
16. Mayer Hawthorne- For All Time
17. Kevin Drew- Aging
18. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis- Australian Carnage Live At The Sydney Opera House
19. Durand Jones- Wait Til I Get Older
20. The National- First Two Pages Of Frankenstein
21. Mitski- The Land Is Inhospitable & So Are We
22. Caroline Polachek- Desire, I Want To Turn Into You
23. billy woods & Kenny Segal- Maps
24. Beach Fossils- Bunny

NICK CAMPBELL
THINKINDIE WAREHOUSE MANAGER

1. Protomartyr - Formal Growth In The Desert
2. The Chemical Brothers - For That Beautiful Feeling
3. Slowdive - everything is alive
4. Wild Nothing - Hold
5. Clark - Sus Dog
6. Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into You
7. Blonde Redhead - Sit Down for Dinner
8. M83 - FantasyDanny Brown & JPEG
9. Danny Brown & JPEG Mafia - Scaring the Hoes
10. Everything But The Girl - Fuse

JOHNNIE SHANEYFELT
THINKINDIE/CIMS WAREHOUSE

1. Boygenius - The Record (Interscope)
2. Janelle Monae - The Age of Pleasure (Atlantic)
3. Gitkin - Nowhere to Go but Everywhere (Antifragile Music)
4. Pawpaw Rod - This must be a Pawpaw Rod EP (Godmode)
5. Tyler Childers - Rustlin’ in the Rain (RCA)
6. Drake - For All the Dogs (OVO Sound / Republic)
7. Daniel Ceaser - Never Enough (Republic)

CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 12/8/22 + STAFF PICKS

December 15, 2022 by Andrea Paschal in CIMS Charts

Hi Everyone,

As this year draws to a close, I would just like to thank everyone on this list that played a part in fighting the good fight for our independent retailers. You all played a role in making this year a successful one for our organizations and for the stores.

I hope everyone has a happy holiday season and I look forward to next year with all of you.

Till then, the CIMS/ThinkIndie HQ crew pulled together our year end lists of the music that made our days in 2022.

Enjoy,
Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

ANDREA PASCHAL
***CIMS/THINKINDIE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR***

Soundtrack for 2022 (in no order)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Cool it Down
Melody’s Echo Chamber - Emotional Eternal
Phoenix - Alpha Zulu
Stromae- Multitude
Bleu Toucan-Eden
Vendredi Sur Mer-Métamorphose
La Femme - Teatro Lúcidl
Izïa- La Vitesse
Junior Boys- Waiting Game
Sudan Archives- Natural Brown Prom Queen
Bjork- Fossora
Rosalia - Motomami
Beach House- Once Twice Melody
Florence+ the Machine- Dance Fever
Lucretia Dalt- ¡Ay!
The Weeknd- Dawn FM

LIZ BOGER
***CIMS SALES & MARKETING***

Beach House/ Once Twice Melody
Phoenix/ Alpha Zulu
Lizzo/ Special
MUNA/ MUNA
Sunflower Bean/ Headful of Sugar
Spoon/ Lucifer on the Moon
Alvvays/ Blue Rev
Wet Leg/ Wet Leg
Cannons/ Fever Dream
Mitski/ Laurel Hell

Special Mention: Never did I ever think I’d put this artist on my “best of” list… but here we are…Taylor Swift/Midnights. What can I say… it’s good!! 🤷🏻‍♀️

BLAKE WIMBERLY
***CIMS/THINKINDIE BOT***

lp
Linkwood- *Stereo* (Athens of the North)
Ron Trent- *What Do The Stars Say To You* (Night Time Stories Ltd.)
Shinichi Atobe- *Love of Plastic* (DDS)
Time Wharp- Spiro World (Leaving Records)
Guy Cuevas- *Total Cuevas* (Liberville Records)

ep
Krystal Klear- *Connect EP* (Running Back)
Hidden Spheres- *You Are not Your Body* (Rhythm Section Intl)
Actoress- *Regular Body* (Alterations/Repairs)
Tape_Hiss- *Fever Dream EP* (Echocentric Records)
Dream_E- *Motherland EP* (Craigie Knowles)

**track**
ML Buch- "Somewhere" (self-released)
Demi Riquísimo- "Tutukaka" (Semi Delicious)
Eden Burns- "The Siren's Song" (Public Possession)
Red Axes, ECHO- "Flawless" - Club Mix (Higher Ground)
Peggy Gou- "I Go" - Soulwax Remix (Gudu Records)
Pale Blue- "Dive" (Crosstown Rebels)
Anthony Naples- "Swerve" (Running Back)
DJ Aakmael- "Departure" (Second Hand Records)
Planetary Assault System- "Eden Tide" - Barker Remix (Token Records)
Simple Symmetry- "Elephant On Speed" (System 108)
Nicola Cruz- "Vai Sentir" (On Loop)
Kid Simius, Bonaparte- "Astro & Manolo" - Massimiliano Pagliara Remix (Permanent Vacation)

**shameless plug**
Blake Wimberly- Heavy II (American Dreams Records)

ASHLEY VASKE
***CIMS/THINKINDIE ACCOUNTING***

**Favorite 2022 Albums:**
Florence + The Machine: *Dance Fever*
The Smile: *A Light For Attracting Attention*
Rosalia: *Motomami*
FKA twigs: *CAPRISONGS*
La Femme: *Teatro Lucido*
A Place To Bury Strangers: *See Through You*
Arcade Fire: WE
Suki Waterhouse: *I Can’t Let Go*
Ibibio Sound Machine: *Electricity*
Phoenix: *Alpha Zulu*
First Aid Kit: *Palomino*
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: *Cool It Down*
The Black Angels: *Wilderness of Mirrors*

RUSSELL COTHRAN
***THINKINDIE SALES & MARKETING***

What year is it again? As you’ll see, there is no shortage of artists who have been making music for at least a decade, if not more. Here are my Top 23 from ’22!

1. The Cult- *Under The Midnight Sun*
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs- *Cool It Down*
3. The Afghan Whigs- *How Do You Burn*
4. The Smile- *A Light For Attracting Attention*
5. Bjork- *Fossora*
6. Interpol- *The Other Side Of Make Believe*
7. Beach House- *Once Twice Melody*
8. Angel Olsen- *Big Time*
9. Arctic Monkeys- *The Car*
10. Makaya McCraven- *In These Times*
11. Sam Prekop & John McEntire- *Sons Of*
12. Panda Bear & Sonic Boom- *Reset*
13. Alvvays- *Blue Rev*
14. Lambchop- *The Bible*
15. Caterina Barbieri- *Spirit Exit*
16. Santigold- *Spirituals*
17. μ-Ziq- *Magic Pony Ride*
18. Beth Orton- *Weather Alive*
19. Danger Mouse & Black Thought- *Cheat Codes*
20. Fleshwater- *We’re Not Here To Be Loved*
21. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever- Endless Rooms
22. Toro y Moi- *Mahal*
23. Spoon- *Lucifer On The Sofa*

NICK CAMPBELL
***THINKINDIE WAREHOUSE MANAGER***

Beach House – Once Twice Melody
Alvvays – Blue Rev
Soccer Mommy – Sometimes Forever
Wet Leg – Wet Leg
Cloakroom – Dissolution Wave
A Place to Bury Strangers – See Through You
Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
Jenny Hval – Classic Objects
The Smile – A Light for Attracting Attention
TV Priest – My Other People

CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 12/9/21 + STAFF PICKS

December 17, 2021 by Andrea Paschal in CIMS Charts

Hi Everyone,

2021 has been another challenging year on the pandemic and supply chain front and the struggle is still very real for all of us. However, despite all of that, 2021 has also been a year of hope and success stories. At times it has been incredibly stressful and frustrating for us all to get records into the stores and onto the shelves, but it has also been exciting to watch the growth of vinyl continue and to see new collectors being created every day. For some of us out there in the retail sphere, things are heating up right about now. For others, their work is mostly done for now and things are finally settling down a bit. Whichever camp you fall into, thanks for being a part of all of this. I wish you all a healthy and happy holiday. Here is to a strong step forward in 2022!

It is also that time where the CIMS/ThinkIndie crew rounds up some of the music that got us through this year. Here are our lists… Enjoy!

Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

ANDREA PASCHAL
***CIMS/THINKINDIE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR***

1) L’Impératrice- Tako Tsubo
2) La Femme- Paradigmes
3) Jungle- Loving in Stereo
4) Róisín Murphy- Crooked Machine
5) Dām Funk- Above the Fray/Architecture III
6) Jane Birkin- Oh!Pardon tu dormais…
7) Nick Cave, Warren Ellis- Carnage
8) Liars- The Apple Drop
9) Martina Topley Bird- Forever I Wait
10) Jarvis Cocker- Chansons D’ennui Tip- Top
11) Small Black- Cheap Dreams
12) Mr. Twin Sister- Al Mundo Azul
13) Bicep- Isles

LIZ BOGER
***CIMS SALES & MARKETING***

Lucy Dacus/ Home Video
Arlo Parks/ Collapsed in Sunbeams
The Marias/ Cinema
Cannons/Covers by Cannons
Indigo de Souza/ Any Shape You Take
CVRCHES/ Screen Violence
Rostam/ Changephobia

BLAKE WIMBERLY
***CIMS/THINKINDIE SMORGASBORG***

lp
Sam Gendel- *Fresh Bread* (Leaving Records)
Various- Planet Love Vol. 1 - Early Transmissions 1991 - 95 (Safe Trip)
Various- *88 Double Happiness Vol. 2* (FuFu Records)
Various- *Tresor 30* (Tresor)
Various- *10 Years of Acid Test* (Acid Test)

ep
Sobek- *Monza* (Duro)
Kasper Marott- *Keflavik EP* (SSPB)
YUF-O, Francis Inferno Orchestra, Yu Su- *You Eff Ohh* (Superconscious Records)

track
Kasper Bjørke- "Baybi" - Roman Flügel Remix (HFN Music)
All Is Well- "Late Night Romantics" - Lauer Remix (Permanent Vacation)
Demi Riquísimo- "Rocking You Internally" (Semi Delicious)
Eden Burns- "Invercargirl" (Public Possession)
The Goon Sax- "In The Stone" (Matador)
Fausto- "He Never Knew" (Fausto)
Christian Engh- "Ctairs" (Full Pupp)
Asa Moto- Cacao (Deewee)

RUSSELL COTHRAN
***THINKINDIE SALES & MARKETING***

Top 21 For 21

1. The War On Drugs- I Don’t Live Here Anymore
2. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis- Carnage
3. Courtney Barnett- Things Take Time, Take Time
4. Durand Jones & The Indications- Private Space
5. Pond- 9
6. Radiohead- Kid A Mnesia
7. Small Black- Cheap Dreams
8. VA- The Daptone Super Soul Revue Live At The Apollo
9. Low- Hey What
10. Manic Street Preachers-The Ultra Vivid Lament
11. Chvrches- Screen Violence
12. Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen- Like I Used To
13. Geese- Projector
14. Idles- Crawler
15. St. Vincent- Daddy’s Home
16. Beach House- New Romance
17. Clams Casino- Winter Flower
18. Wet Leg- Chaise Longue
19. Spiritualized- Always Together With You
20. Spoon- The Hardest Cut
21. Warren Ellis & Nick Cave- OST La Panthere Des Neiges

NICK CAMPBELL
***THINKINDIE WAREHOUSE MANAGER***

Clark - Playground In A Lake
The Goon Sax - Mirror II
Dry Cleaning - New Long Leg
Shame - Drunk Tank Pink
The Drums - Mommy Don't Spank Me
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Carnage
Nation of Language - A Way Forward
Odonis Odonis - Spectrums
Ovlov - Buds
Low - Hey What

ASHLEY VASKE
***CIMS/THINKINDIE ACCOUNTING***

Top 10 Most Listened to 2021 Albums:

Arooj Aftab: *Vulture Prince*
The War On Drugs: *I Don’t live Here Anymore*
Japanese Breakfast: *Jubilee*
Coeur De Pirate: *Impossible à aimer*
Madlib: *Sound Ancestors*
Afrique Victime: *Mdou Moctar*
Valerie June: *The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers*
Sturgill Simpson: *The Ballad of Dood & Juanita*
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: *L.W.*
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: *Butterfly 3000*

CIMS WEEKLY CHARTS: WEEK ENDING 12/31/20 + STAFF PICKS

January 07, 2021 by Andrea Paschal in CIMS Charts

Hello Everyone,

Happy new year to you all… I think? As happy as we all are to have 2020 on the books, we know that things were not set “to normal” at the stroke of midnight and if anything, they somehow managed to get weirder. I guess if we have all learned anything it is to expect the unexpected. Today feels quite heavy so I don’t have a lot to say and it feels a little clueless to talk about music or the music industry the day after such a monumental event. I am very saddened when I think about the division of our country right now. However, I remain hopeful that as we move into this new year, we can find ways to work together to heal those wounds and bring the people of our country together. I am grateful to the officials that did the right thing and worked to preserve and uphold our system of democracy last night. This really isn’t about what side you’re on. Thankfully in this country, we have the right to express our own views and opinions, but the goal is to do that with kindness and respect. We still have to work together to find a way to hopefully leave this place in a better place than we found it.

Here is to us finding our way in 2021.

Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

ANDREA PASCHAL CIMS/THINKINDIE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “Andrea’s Celebrated Records of 2020” (in no particular order and one for each month of this crazy-ass year) 1. JARV IS- BEYOND THE PALE (Rough Trade) 2. THE AVALANCHES- WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU(Modu… — ANDREA PASCHAL
***CIMS/THINKINDIE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR***

“Andrea’s Celebrated Records of 2020”
(in no particular order and one for each month of this crazy-ass year)

1. JARV IS- *BEYOND THE PALE* (Rough Trade)
2. THE AVALANCHES- *WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU*(Modular/Interscope)
3. HAIM- *WOMEN IN MUSIC PART III* (Columbia)
4. YELLE- *L’ERE DU VERSEAU* (Recreation Center)
5. ARCA- *KiCk I* (XL Recordings)
6. WASHED OUT- *PURPLE NOON* (Sub Pop) *I also REALLY appreciated that Sade Cover of "Cherish the Day"… great job Ernest!
7. NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS- *IDIOT PRAYER (NICK CAVE ALONE LIVE AT ALEXANDRA PALACE* (AWAL)
8. CARIBOU- *SUDDENLY* (Merge)
9. PROTOMARTYR- *ULTIMATE SUCCESS TODAY*(Domino)
10. DISCLOSURE- *ENERGY* (Island)
11. THUNDERCAT- *IT IS WHAT IT IS* (Brainfeeder)
12. SEBASTIAN TELLIER- *DOMESTICATED/SIMPLE MIND* (Record Makers)

LIZ BOGER CIMS SALES & MARKETING In no particular order :) Haim/ Women in Music Pt. III Strokes/ The New Abnormal Sylvan Esso/ Free Love Waxahatchee/ Saint Cloud Glass Animals/ Dreamland Beabadoobee/ Fake it Flowers Wray / Stream of Youth/ … — LIZ BOGER
***CIMS SALES & MARKETING***

In no particular order :)

Haim/ Women in Music Pt. III
Strokes/ The New Abnormal
Sylvan Esso/ Free Love
Waxahatchee/ Saint Cloud
Glass Animals/ Dreamland
Beabadoobee/ Fake it Flowers
Wray / Stream of Youth/ Blank World
Washed Out/ Purple Noon
Finneas/ Blood Harmony
Purity Ring/ WOMB

PS - On a personal note, our family moved to FL this year...we needed more sunshine in our lives and some saltwater therapy. It’s been a tough year - hope everyone is holding up out there. I miss seeing you guys! If you need my new personal mailing address let me know! Hope everyone can find some joy in this holiday season ❤️

BLAKE WIMBERLY CIMS/THINKINDIE DO/KNOW-IT-ALL lp John Carroll Kirby- My Garden (Stones Throw) Andras- Joyful (Beats In Space) Matt Karmil- STS371 (Smalltown Supersound) Paradise Cinema- Paradise Cinema (Gondwana Records) Chip Wickham- Blue To Red (L… — BLAKE WIMBERLY
***CIMS/THINKINDIE DO/KNOW-IT-ALL***

lp
John Carroll Kirby- *My Garden* (Stones Throw)
Andras- *Joyful* (Beats In Space)
Matt Karmil- *STS371* (Smalltown Supersound)
Paradise Cinema- Paradise Cinema (Gondwana Records)
Chip Wickham- *Blue To Red* (Lovemonk)
Turn On The Sunlight- *Warm Waves* (diskunion)

ep
Roman Flügel- *Garden Party* (Running Back)
Anunaku/DJ Plead- *032* (AD 93)
Ami Dang- *Meditations Mixtape Vol.* 1 (Leaving Records)
Donato Dozzy- *The Tao* (Samurai Music)

track
Pauline Anna Strom (R.I.P.)- "Marking time" (RVNG Intl)
Jay Daniel- "Muse" (Watusi High)
Sharif Laffrey- "Sounds To Come" (Special Forces)
Arkajo/Dorisburg- "Void Pyramid - A" (Arkajo)
Schwefelgelb- "Das Bild Das Wiederkehrt" (Cititrax)
nthng- "Wave Return" (Lobster Theremin)
Third Wife- "Easy" (Concrete Lab)
Fort Romeau- "Neuromance" (Permanent Vacation)
Ryan Elliot- "Headspace" (Faith Beat)
Special Request- "Family Doggo" (R&S)
WhoMadeWho/Adana Twins- "Immersion" (Kompakt)
David Jackson- "Broken Heart" (Frank Music)
Jayda G- "Both of Us" (Ninja Tune)
Kareem Ali- "Galactic Expressway" (890243 Records)
Todd Osborn- "Friendly" (Running Back)
Matthew Halsall- "Joyful Spirits of the Universe" (Gondwana Records)

And one little toot from my own horn...
WRAY- *Stream of Youth/Blank World* (Earth Libraries)

toot :)

SCOTT REGISTER THINKINDIE A&R Here are SOME, and I repeat, SOME of my favorites of 2020. There are a bunch of others but these are a Baker’s Dozen of SOME of my favorites from this crazy ass year. 1. Kathleen Edwards- Total Freedom - Dualtone R… — SCOTT REGISTER
***THINKINDIE A&R***

Here are SOME, and I repeat, SOME of my favorites of 2020. There are a bunch of others but these are a Baker’s Dozen of SOME of my favorites from this crazy ass year.

1. Kathleen Edwards- *Total Freedom* - Dualtone Records
2. Sturgill Simpson- *Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1: The Butcher Shop Sessions & Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 2: The Cowboy Arms Sessions* - High Top Mountain/Thirty Tigers (Yeah, I combined the two separate releases into one…SO?)
3. Whitney Rose- *We Still Go To Rodeos -* McG Recordings
4. Matt Berninger- *Serpentine Prison* - Concord
5. Lianne La Havas- *Lianne La Havas* - Warner/Nonesuch
6. My Morning Jacket- *The Waterfall II* - ATO Records
7. Laura Marling- *Song For Our Daughter* - Chrysalis Records
8. Paris Jackson- *Wilted* - Republic Records
9. Nada Surf- *Never Not Together* - Barsuk Records
10. HAIM- *Women In Music Pt. III* - Polydor Records
11. Logan Ledger- *Logan Ledger* - Electromagnetic Records/Rounder Records
12. Waxahatchee - *Saint Cloud* - Merge Records
13. Steve Earle- *Ghosts Of West Virginia* - New West Records

Two songs I wish had received more attention. “Make It Through” by Chris Trapper and “Rona Pollona” by Ghost of Vroom. These two tracks capture the year 2020 better than any others I have heard. Hope you’ll take the time to give them a listen and that they help you process life these days.

RUSSELL COTHRAN THINKINDIE SALES & MARKETING I think it is safe to say that 2020 has been one of the roughest years on record for any of us, emotionally. Instead of my usual Top 20 from 2020, here are 20 Records/Tracks that have helped get me th… — RUSSELL COTHRAN
***THINKINDIE SALES & MARKETING***

I think it is safe to say that 2020 has been one of the roughest years on record for any of us, emotionally. Instead of my usual Top 20 from 2020, here are 20 Records/Tracks that have helped get me through this year. Happy Holidays & may the power of music continue to bring us all a little closer in 2021!

Afghan Whigs- *Black Love* & *Gentlemen*
Jellyfish- *Bellybutton*
Brian Eno- *Ambient 1 Music For Airports*
John Coltrane- *Blue Train*
Talk Talk- *The Spirit Of Eden*
Prefab Sprout- *Steve McQueen*
Vince Guaraldi Trio- *A Charlie Brown Christmas*
U2- *The Unforgettable Fire*
Atlas Sound (featuring Laetitia Sadler)- “Quick Canal”
Steely Dan- *Gold*
Tame Impala- *Lonerism*
Best Coast- “California Nights”
Tangerine Dream- OST Thief
The Cult- *Love*
Thom Yorke- The Eraser
David Bowie- “Heroes” (Live Aid Performance)
Rhythm Method- *Pacquet De Cinq*
Bjork- *Volta*
Sigur Ros- *Agaetis Byrjun*

NICK CAMPBELL THINKINDIE WAREHOUSE MANAGER Top 10 Albums (in no order) Protomartyr- Ultimate Success Today Choir Boy- Gathering Swans Moaning- Uneasy Laughter Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever- Sideways to New Italy Nation of Language- Introduction, … — NICK CAMPBELL
***THINKINDIE WAREHOUSE MANAGER***

Top 10 Albums (in no order)

Protomartyr- *Ultimate Success Today*
Choir Boy- *Gathering Swans*
Moaning- *Uneasy Laughter*
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever- *Sideways to New Italy*
Nation of Language- *Introduction, Presence*
Hum- *Inlet*
Bambara- *Stray*
Wray- *Stream of Youth / Blank World*
Holy Wave- *Interloper*
En Attendant Ana- *Juillet*

Honorable Mentions

Mourn- *Self Worth*
Caribou- *Suddenly*
Metz- *Atlas Vending*

ASHLEY VASKE CIMS/THINKINDIE ACCOUNTING My selection of 2020 albums in no special order: Poliça- When We Stay Alive Haim- Women in Music Pt. III Rhye- Home EP Joe Wong- Nite Creatures Tame Impala- Slow Rush Yelle- L’Ère du Verseau Mourn- Self Worth… — ASHLEY VASKE
***CIMS/THINKINDIE ACCOUNTING***

My selection of 2020 albums in no special order:

Poliça- *When We Stay Alive*
Haim- *Women in Music Pt. III*
Rhye- *Home EP*
Joe Wong- *Nite Creatures*
Tame Impala- *Slow Rush*
Yelle- *L’Ère du Verseau*
Mourn- *Self Worth*
Run the Jewels- *RTJ4*
Khruangbin- *Mordechai*
Fiona Apple- *Fetch the Bolt Cutters*

CIMS CHART: WEEK ENDING 12/10/20 + STAFF PICKS

December 17, 2020 by Andrea Paschal in CIMS Charts

Hi Everyone,

As we finally reach the close of 2020 it feels like finishing a marathon. There have been many, many challenges this year, but it is important to remember there have been accomplishments as well. This was the 25th Anniversary of CIMS and that is a big deal. I am saddened that we didn’t get to all come together to celebrate with amazing live music and toasts and hugs (things that feel like the ultimate luxury right now) but year 25 was ultimately the year that reminded us just what we were all made of. This was also my first year to serve as the Executive Director for CIMS, and despite the uphill battles that were fought this year (and that we will undoubtedly continue to fight), it is a job that I love. It is also a job that I could not do alone. I would like to acknowledge our CIMS Board of Directors (Mike Fratt, Alayna Alderman, Rand Foster, Sandy Bitman, Justin Johnson, Jim Bland, Stephen Judge, Paige Brodsky, Terry Currier and Karl Groeger). They have worked hard for the group this year, given their time to the organization even when they probably really needed that time for their own store, and have provided me with so much support in my first year in this role. I would also like to thank my team: Liz Boger, Nick Campbell, Russell Cothran, Ben Knox, Branden Lower, Scott Register, Pete Szelenbaum, Ashley Vaske and Blake Wimberly- each of these individuals plays a vital role for indie retail and I am so very thankful to have them on my side. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention team RSD: Michael, Carrie, Eric and Luann- we all worked together this year probably more than ever and that felt really good, and of course, everyone else (Broadtime, Labels, Distributors, Artists) that helped us bring music to the people this year and supported our group. Last but certainly not least, to all of the indie record stores out there- Thank You for what you do. You are the twinkling lights on the tree that keep the faith alive.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday & a hopeful and happy new year!

Also- there was still A LOT of really good music that came out this year. So, here are our CIMS STAFF PICKS.

-Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
#cimsmusic

Top 10 Albums (in no order) Protomartyr- Ultimate Success Today Choir Boy- Gathering Swans Moaning- Uneasy Laughter Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever- Sideways to New Italy Nation of Language- Introduction, Presence Hum- Inlet Bambara- Stray Wray- St… — Top 10 Albums (in no order)

Protomartyr- *Ultimate Success Today*
Choir Boy- *Gathering Swans*
Moaning- *Uneasy Laughter*
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever- *Sideways to New Italy*
Nation of Language- *Introduction, Presence*
Hum- *Inlet*
Bambara- *Stray*
Wray- *Stream of Youth / Blank World*
Holy Wave- *Interloper*
En Attendant Ana- *Juillet*

Honorable Mentions

Mourn- *Self Worth*
Caribou- *Suddenly*
Metz- *Atlas Vending*