Two months are left in 2010 and it already feels like the year is over. Of course, big albums are supposed to come out in this period because of the holidays, but other than Kid Cudi, not much good is set in stone.

I prefer to mention records that surprised me this year, and not all of them are expected, believe me. Here is the list:

Dum Dum Girls – “I Will Be”

Fuzzy garage rock from four girls from L.A., the Dum Dum Girls hit the ground running with fast and fun songs in the vein of acts like the Vivian Girls and Siouxsie & the Banshees. Listen for a particularly haunting cover of Sonny and Cher’s “Baby Don’t Go.”

Dom – “Sun Bronzed Greek Gods”

Gorgeous EP from a band named after their singer. A blend of 80s synth in the supposedly entitled “chillwave” genre mixing the vibes of surfer rock and new wave, but this in particular is splendid. Similar to the simple greatness of Girls’ “Lust for Life” from last year, “Burn Bridges” is shockingly poignant.

Sia – “We Are Born”

A few years after hitting poignancy with her song “Breathe Me,” Sia returns to form with a shocking blend of world music and beautiful harmonies. “Stop Trying” is especially upbeat despite the song’s title and “Bring Night” is another solid smash.

Jamey Johnson – “The Guitar Song”

It’s a bit of a tough blend to go for the sensibilities of pop country with the songwriting style of older country, but Jamey Johnson has found a record that feels personal without being maudlin. “Poor Man Blues” is the natural maturation of Charlie Daniels and Hank Williams Jr.’s early work praising the perceived lower class. And it’s all pure Johnson emotion as he laments that the rich man “don’t know a damn thing about when the poor man gets the blues.”

Big Boi – “Sir Luscious Left Foot…”

Less a surprise in the musical sense as opposed to a surprise that it even was released at all, Big Boi’s latest is still a return to form. Especially great is “Shine Blockas,” the finest song he’s recorded since “The Way You Move,” although the rest of the album is pleasing if not perfect.

Devo – “Something for Everybody”

Twenty years and the men—err, excuse me—the energy hat wearers of Devo produce a fine parody of mainstream pop logic with their “focus group approved” record. Mark Mothersbaugh writes the bawdy standout “Human Rocket” and fun just explodes through the group’s efforts here.

Various Artists – “Germs of Perfection: A Tribute to Bad Religion”

While normally tribute records tend to suck and remind us of how much better it is to listen to the original artist over its imitators, this free record from MySpace and Spin Magazine actually manages some great gems in its cover list. The Weakerthans’ cover of “Sanity” is a more subdued take, while Tegan and Sara funnel their 80s pop sensibilities in a dynamite cover of “Suffer.” If anything, those two covers are worth the price of admission.

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