When I review a new release, I also give the album a score based on the quality of each individual track and the album as a whole. Sure it’s only March, but it’s never too soon to start tracking the Top Albums of 2008. The list will be up 20 soon enough, but for now here are the 10 best albums I’ve heard so far this year (Note: To be eligible for this list the album needs to be released in the U.S. between December 1, 2007 and November 30, 2008):

1. Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend (XL)
2. Lupe Fiasco The Cool (Atlantic)
3. Hot Chip Made in the Dark (Astralwerks)
4. MGMT Oracular Spectacular (Red Ink/Columbia)
5. The Mountain Goats Heretic Pride (4AD)
6. The Mars Volta The Bedlam In Goliath (Universal)
7. Wu-Tang Clan 8 Diagrams (Universal Motown)
8. Flowers Forever Flowers Forever (Team Love)
9. Thao We Brave Bee Sting and All (Kill Rock Stars)
10. Kelley Stoltz Circular Sounds (Sub Pop)