THE BEGINNING OF THE E.N.D.

The sound you heard is the Black Eyed Peas landing at #1 on next week’s HITS Album sales chart with a total anywhere between 190-215k for their new album, The E.N.D.

Considering how many singles the band has sold, that total has got to be considered a disappointment to record retailers out there who still have their shirts, with most of ‘em presumably gathered in the sunny climes of San Diego for this week’s NARM convention.

But look on the bright side. Based on those same one-day sales reports, this week’s chart-topper RCA’s Dave Matthews Band and Interscope’s dope rapper Eminem will have an old-fashioned street battle for #2, with both in the 115-125k range, so at least there will be three six-figures albums astride next week’s Top 50.

That'll give the cat in the hat, Jimmy Iovine, at least two of the top three and maybe even the top two.

Next highest debut will be Atlantic’s Pleasure P at 35-40k, Sony Music Latin’s Aventura (25-30k), Downtown’s Mos Def (25-30k) and Stax/Concord Music Group’s Teena Marie (15-20k).

Next week, Disney’s Jonas Brothers are back with Lines, Vines and Trying Times, their tribute to Neil Diamond, Kings of Leon, Elvis Costello and the Zutons, according to the bros.

The market was up 11% vs. last week, down 16% vs. same week last year and now down 14% year to date. All we can say is… Stay thirsty, my friends.