I’m a little later than usual with this week’s rundown — that’s what catching a cold on a Monday will do to you. Oh well: That only gave me more time to determine just how idiosyncratically strong Ani DiFranco‘s first album in 3½ years is, and how frustrated I am with the Big Pink‘s latest good-not-great ’80s amalgam.

Click here for a slide show of all of the artists with albums out this week.

Also in the mix: a definitive Martina McBride collection, the studio return of classic-era Guided by Voices, the stateside debut of South Korea’s Girls’ Generation, a Bill Evans tribute from Chick Corea, an excellent iTunes session from Wilco and a rush-released double-album from too-often unsung songwriter Joseph Arthur.

For more reviews and concert news check out the Soundcheck Blog on ocregister.com.

Slide show and text by Ben Wener, the Orange County Register.

More O.C. Nightlife:

• Slide Show: OC Music Awards gets loud in Fullerton
• Orange Pop: Jeramiah Red ups its game
• Tiger Army, New Found Glory and Alkaline Trio to headline Musink
• Slide Show: Professional Bull Riders take over Honda Center Saturday
• ShoresCrew’s Zombie Party gets wild at La Cave in Costa Mesa Friday
• Lord Huron kicks off the 2012 Off Center Festival in Costa Mesa

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