When I review a new release, I also give the album a score based on the quality of each individual track and the cohesiveness of the album as a whole. To be eligible for this list, the album needs to be released in the U.S. between December 1, 2006 and November 30, 2007. The following albums have scored highest this year so far. I update these Standings every time an album or albums break into my Top 20.

New Feature: Look for Video Reviews (by Jim Shearer and Dave Powers) on many of the Top 20 Albums of 2007 (so far) and more.

Update: This week Feist enters the Top 20 with The Reminder, her follow-up to 2004’s breakthrough album Let It Die. Meanwhile, The Noisettes debut album, What’s the Time Mr. Wolf?, gets knocked off the list.

1. Menomena Friend and Foe (Barsuk)
>>Watch Video Review
2. Bright Eyes Cassadaga (Saddle Creek)
>>Watch Video Review
3. Macromantics Moments in Movement (Kill Rock Stars) >>Watch Video Review
4. Youth Group Casino Twilight Dogs (Anti-)
>>Watch Video Review
5. The Bird and the Bee The Bird and the Bee (Metro Blue/Blue Note)
6. Tim Fite Over the Counter Culture (Anti-)
7. Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare (Domino)
>>Watch Video Review
8. The Beauty Shop Crisis Helpline (Believe Music)
9. The Veils Nux Vomica (Rough Trade)
10. El-P I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead (Definitive Jux)
>>Watch Video Review
11. Wilco Sky Blue Sky (Nonesuch)
12. The Shins Wincing the Night Away (Sub Pop)
13. Andrew Bird Armchair Apocrypha (Fat Possum)
14. Elvis Perkins Ash Wednesday (XL)
15. Arcade Fire Neon Bible (Merge)
16. Nine Inch Nails Year Zero (Nothing/Interscope)
>>Watch Video Review
17. Feist The Reminder (Cherry Tree/Interscope)
>>Watch Video Review
18. Dinosaur Jr. Beyond (Fat Possum)
19. Maria Taylor Lynn Teeter Flower (Saddle Creek)
20. Kings of Leon Because of the Times (RCA)
>>Watch Video Review