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: Kardinal Offishall has been a force in hip hop’s underground for years, but with Not 4 Sale he has a chance to break into the mainstream. The album makes it into the Top 10 of the year (so far). Meanwhile, the buzzworthy debut from MGMT - Oracular Spectular - gets nudged out of the Top 20.

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. Kardinal Offishall Not 4 Sale (Kon Live/Geffen)
10. Wolf Parade At Mount Zoomer (Sub Pop)
11. Death Cab for Cutie Narrow Stairs (Atlantic)
12. Dizzee Rascal Maths & English (Definitive Jux)
13. Death Angel Killing Season (Nuclear Blast America)
14. Shy Child Noise Won’t Stop (Kill Rock Stars)
15. Beck Modern Guilt (Interscope)
16. Disturbed Indestructible (Warner Brothers/Reprise)
17. Jaguar Love Take Me To the Sea (Matador)
18. Portishead Third (Mercury/Island)
19. The Raconteurs Consolers of the Lonely (Warner Brothers)
20. The Hold Steady Stay Positive (Vagrant)