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.

Update: This week both Patrick Park and Okkervil River break into the Top 5 with their albums Everyone’s In Everyone and The Stage Names respectively. As a result, Arcade Fire and Elvis Perkins get bumped off the Top 20 list with their albums Neon Bible and Ash Wednesday.

1. Menomena Friend and Foe (Barsuk)
>>Watch Video Review
2. Bright Eyes Cassadaga (Saddle Creek)
>>Watch Video Review
3. Portugal. The Man Church Mouth (Fearless)
4. Patrick Park Everyone’s In Everyone (Curb Appeal)
5. Okkervil River The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar)
6. Parts & Labor Mapmaker (Jagjaguwar)
7. Macromantics Moments in Movement (Kill Rock Stars) >>Watch Video Review
8. Youth Group Casino Twilight Dogs (Anti-)
>>Watch Video Review
9. The Bird and the Bee The Bird and the Bee (Metro Blue/Blue Note)
10. Tim Fite Over the Counter Culture (Anti-)
11. Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare (Domino)
>>Watch Video Review
12. The National Boxer (Beggars Banquet)
13. Pharoahe Monch Desire (SRC/Universal Motown)
14. The Beauty Shop Crisis Helpline (Believe Music)
15. The Veils Nux Vomica (Rough Trade)
16. El-P I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead (Definitive Jux)
>>Watch Video Review
17. Wilco Sky Blue Sky (Nonesuch)
18. The Shins Wincing the Night Away (Sub Pop)
19. Andrew Bird Armchair Apocrypha (Fat Possum)
20. Voxtrot Voxtrot (Playlouder)

Additional Video Reviews (from former Top 20 Albums):
Nine Inch Nails Year Zero (Nothing/Interscope)
>>Watch Video Review
Feist The Reminder (Cherry Tree/Interscope)
>>Watch Video Review
Kings of Leon Because of the Times (RCA)
>>Watch Video Review