Modest Mouse, now with The Smith's Johnny Marr in the lineup, debuted at #1 on this week's album chart. We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank (Epic) sold 128,000 units (27% digital), beating out Joss Stone's Introducing Joss Stone (Virgin) by 10,000 units. Elliott Yamin's self-titled album (Hickory Records) moved 90,000 units (17% digital) and debuted at #3. Recall the name? Yamin got third place in the fifth season of "American Idol."

There were two other debuts in the Top 20. Marques Houston's Veteran (Universal) sold 68,000 (3% digital) and Insane Clown Posse's Tempest (Psychopathic Records) sold 33,000 (1% digital).

Akon's Konvicted is still showing incredible resolve after moving another 68,000 units last week. Its 19-week total is 1.9 million (3% digital). Daughtry's self-titled debut is doing even better. In 18 weeks, the RCA album has sold just over two million (7% digital).

Two Virgin albums keep plugging away week in and week out with sales around 11,000 to 13,000 a week. 30 Seconds To Mars' Beautiful Lie has now sold 881,000 and Red Jump Suit Apparatus' Don't You Fake It has sold 524,000.

Indie rock surprise of the week: Silversun Pickups' Carnavas (Dangerbird) has now sold 106,000 units in ten weeks of release. They've got big numbers in Los Angeles, San Diego, the Bay Area and Seattle. In comparison, the latest Clap Your Hands Say Yeah album has done 40,000 in eight weeks, and Bloc Party's latest has sold 95,000 in seven weeks.

Second-week fades: Last week's #1, Musiq Soulchild, dropped 64%, both Lloyd and Type O Negative sank 62%, Rich Boy faded 56%, 8-Ball & MJG dropped 49%, Neil Young slipped 42%, James Morrison fell 40%, The Fratellis dropped 33% and Amy Winehouse slipped a mere 6%.

Overall, album sales were up 3% over last week but were 17% lower than the same week last year. To date, 2007 album sales are 18% behind last year's pace.

[music jobs] The Beggars Group & Matador Records is seeking a Paralegal