November 2009

By Robert Christgau
Special to MSN Music

This month's picks include a passel of guitar-noise experimentalists, one A-worthy; another passel of folk-rock revivalists, ditto; and three revivals per se: two feats of imagination, and one cherry-pick even Afropop fans haven't heard before.

Table of Contents

• Reviews
  • The Avett Brothers: "I and Love and You" (American)
  • Franco: "Francophonic Vol. 2" (Sterns Africa)
  • Nellie McKay: "Normal as Blueberry Pie: A Tribute to Doris Day" (Verve)
  • Modest Mouse: "No One's First, and You're Next" (Epic)
  • Jemina Pearl: "Break It Up" (Universal Motown)
  • "The Rough Guide to Tango Revival" (World Music Network)
  • Loudon Wainwright III: "High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project" (161)
  • White Denim: "Fits" (Downtown)
• Honorable Mentions: Kid Sister, Blitzen Trapper, Monsters of Folk and More
• Choice Cuts: White Denim, Anjulie and More
• Dud of the Month: "Humbug" by the Arctic Monkeys
• More Duds: Avett Brothers, Franz Ferdinand and More