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, 2008 and November 30, 2009. 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: Fans of the poppier, more eclectic output from The Cure should find plenty to like on Jack Peñate’s Everything Is New, which lands in the top 10 of this list. Also, the latest from Thrice - Beggars - and The Black Crowes - Before the Frost - find their way into the Top 20. Meanwhile, Sunset Rubdown’s Dragonslayer, Peter Bjorn & John’s Living Thing and Heartless Bastards’ The Mountain fall off the list.

1. The Rural Alberta Advantage Hometowns (Saddle Creek)
2. Psapp The Camel’s Back (Domino)
3. The Decemberists The Hazards of Love (Capitol)
4. The Mars Volta Octahedron (Warner Brothers)
5. Grizzly Bear Veckatimest (Warp)
6. Jack Peñate Everything Is New (XL)
7. M. Ward Hold Time (Merge)
8. Neko Case Middle Cyclone (Anti-)
9. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Lightning Rod)
10. Franz Ferdinand Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (Domino)
11. Handsome Furs Face Control (Sub Pop)
12. Electric Owls Ain’t Too Bright (Vagrant)
13. Chali 2na Fish Outta Water (Decon)
14. UUVVWWZ UUVVWWZ (Saddle Creek)
15. Thrice Beggars (Vagrant)
16. P.O.S. Never Better (Rhymesayers)
17. N.A.S.A. The Spirit of Apollo (Anti-)
18. The Black Crowes Before the Frost… (Silver Arrow/Megaforce)
19. Gossip Music for Men (Columbia)
20. The Features Some Kind of Salvation (429)