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. To be eligible for this list the album needs to be released in the U.S. between December 1, 2007 and November 30, 2008. 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: As we approach the half-way point in 2008, Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut still holds the top spot on the list. Some recent entries to the Top 20 include Dizzee Rascal’s Maths & English, Portishead’s Third, The Roots’ Rising Down and Santogold’s self-titled debut.

1. Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend (XL)
2. Gnarls Barkley The Odd Couple (Atlantic)
3. Lupe Fiasco The Cool (Atlantic)
4. Hot Chip Made in the Dark (Astralwerks)
5. The Hush Sound Goodbye Blues (Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic)
6. Dizzee Rascal Maths & English (Definitive Jux)
7. Death Angel Killing Season (Nuclear Blast America)
8. Portishead Third (Mercury/Island)
9. The Raconteurs Consolers of the Lonely (Warner Brothers)
10. MGMT Oracular Spectacular (Red Ink/Columbia)
11. The Mountain Goats Heretic Pride (4AD)
12. Man Man Rabbit Habits (Anti-)
13. The Kills Midnight Boom (Domino)
14. Santogold Santogold (Downtown)
15. The Mars Volta The Bedlam In Goliath (Universal)
16. Wu-Tang Clan 8 Diagrams (Universal Motown)
17. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks Real Emotional Trash (Matador)
18. The Roots Rising Down (Def Jam)
19. Erykah Badu New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War (Universal Motown)
20. Flowers Forever Flowers Forever (Team Love)