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: The new Trent Reznor-produced, digital-only release from Saul Williams, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust, moves into the Top 10 this week. Meanwhile El-P’s I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead gets bumped off the Top 20.
1. Band of Horses Cease to Begin (Sub Pop)
2. Menomena Friend and Foe (Barsuk)
>>Watch Video Review
3. Bright Eyes Cassadaga (Saddle Creek)
>>Watch Video Review
4. Portugal. The Man Church Mouth (Fearless)
5. Patrick Park Everyone’s In Everyone (Curb Appeal)
6. Saul Williams The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust (The Fader)
7. The Good Life Help Wanted Nights (Saddle Creek)
8. Okkervil River The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar)
9. Aesop Rock None Shall Pass (Definitive Jux)
10. Parts & Labor Mapmaker (Jagjaguwar)
11. Macromantics Moments in Movement (Kill Rock Stars) >>Watch Video Review
12. Youth Group Casino Twilight Dogs (Anti-)
>>Watch Video Review
13. The Bird and the Bee The Bird and the Bee (Metro Blue/Blue Note)
14. Tim Fite Over the Counter Culture (Anti-)
15. Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare (Domino)
>>Watch Video Review
16. The National Boxer (Beggars Banquet)
17. Pharoahe Monch Desire (SRC/Universal Motown)
18. Avenged Sevenfold Avenged Sevenfold (Warner Brothers)
19. The Veils Nux Vomica (Rough Trade)
20. Wilco Sky Blue Sky (Nonesuch)
Additional Video Reviews (from former Top 20 Albums):
El-P I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead (Definitive Jux)
>>Watch Video Review
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
I reallly like the Babd of Horses myself. After reading reviews that made them sound like MMJ knock-offs I wasn’t even planning on listening but when I saw them on Letterman i changed my mind. The MMJ comparisons were a bit overdone. They aren’t a knock-off band at all. All music is at least somewhat derivative of it’s influences.
One album to hear before the year is out: Walls by Apparat. It’s on eMusic. Give “Limelight” and a couple other tracks a shot.
http://www.emusic.com/album/Apparat-Walls-MP3-Download/11036906.html