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: The latest release from Bright Eyes mastermind Conor Oberst - a self-titled solo album - isn’t much different than the music he makes with his proper band. But that’s most certainly a good thing. It’s excellent, and it moves into the #2 spot on my best-of list. As a result, The Baseball Project the fun, long-in-the-works album from Minus 5 frontman Scott McCaughey gets knocked off the list.

1. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges (ATO)
2. Conor Oberst Conor Oberst (Merge)
3. Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend (XL)
4. Adele 19 (XL/Columbia)
5. Gnarls Barkley The Odd Couple (Atlantic)
6. Lupe Fiasco The Cool (Atlantic)
7. Hot Chip Made in the Dark (Astralwerks)
8. The Hush Sound Goodbye Blues (Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic)
9. Wolf Parade At Mount Zoomer (Sub Pop)
10. Death Cab for Cutie Narrow Stairs (Atlantic)
11. Dizzee Rascal Maths & English (Definitive Jux)
12. Death Angel Killing Season (Nuclear Blast America)
13. Shy Child Noise Won’t Stop (Kill Rock Stars)
14. Beck Modern Guilt (Interscope)
15. Disturbed Indestructible (Warner Brothers/Reprise)
16. Portishead Third (Mercury/Island)
17. The Raconteurs Consolers of the Lonely (Warner Brothers)
18. The Hold Steady Stay Positive (Vagrant)
19. MGMT Oracular Spectacular (Red Ink/Columbia)
20. The Mountain Goats Heretic Pride (4AD)