2010 The Albums - Honorable Mentions

So here it begins, the end of the year superlatives for what was the best albums (in my humble opinion of course) that defined 2010. Here is the first of three lists, we begin with my HONORABLE MENTIONS category, next week will feature my coveted LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN and followed by TOP 10. So here were records that were very good and solid but didn't crack the Top 10, however, are worthy of mention. As always it is broken up into a quick list and then with explanations.

2010 Honorable Mentions (In No Particular Order) Short Form:

- Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

- Surfer Blood - Astro Coast

- The Drums

- Deftones - Diamond Eyes

- Far - At Night We Live

- Cee Lo - The Ladykiller

Now with Explanations:

Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

A beautiful and astounding effort from one of indie rocks favorite bands. A soundscape of gorgeous music seized with introspective and fantastic songwriting. 2010 was a big year for Band of Horses and they are just beginning their stampede. Infinite Arms is their third album but has become the one to give them the attention they full deserve.

Key Tracks: Factory, Laredo

Surfer Blood - Astro Coast

The Beach Boys meets The Strokes meets The Smiths, with a cornucopia of sound and style like that, you know you are destined for great things. Easily one of the best debuts of the year and one of the most catchy albums to arrive in a while. These Florida rockers are bound for glory, we cannot wait to see what they do next, Astro Coast is only a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

Key Tracks: Swim, Catholic Pagans

The Drums

Just as impressive as Surfer Blood, The Drums long awaited and anticipated debut delivers in such big ways. One of the catchiest and best sounding first releases we have heard in years. The Drums drum up sexy surf pop and mix it with garage and a bit of electro in some area’s. The Drums have created a record so fresh and exciting, you will want to blast this any time of day and grab your surf board and head into the ocean.

Key Tracks: Let's Go Surfing, Forever and Ever Amen

Deftones - Diamond Eyes

Sometimes in life you have to go through tragedy in order to come out on top. For Deftones, their road to ruin has been severe, after having their bassist Chi Cheng sidelined in a coma after a massive car accident, the band pushed forward to create their best record in 10 years. Diamond Eyes is what we have come to love from these Sacramento kings. It is moody in some areas, aggressive in others and a full out wall of noise from top to bottom. Strap on to something tight because Diamond Eyes is a fierce ride.

Key Tracks: Royal, Sextape

Far - At Night We Live

Far is one of those bands that has unfairly been pushed aside by critics, yet in the meantime they paved the way for bands like Deftones, Incubus and Linkin Park to come about. The long awaited reunion record from one of California's finest arrived this year and it did not disappoint. Inspired by friendship and their close friend Chi Cheng's condition, At Night We Live goes hand in hand with Deftones Diamond Eyes. Like two distant cousins reuniting for the first time in a while, they pick up where they left off.

Key Tracks: Give Me a Reason, At Night We Live

Cee Lo - The Ladykiller

The voice of Goodie Mob and Gnarles Barkley fires back on his sophomore solo disc and stands apart from everything that he has ever done. It is a collection of soul and jazz and infused with his own creative style that we have gone to love through the years. The Ladykiller is a must listen and an album that you will be playing over and over again.

Final Grade: Fuck You, Bodies