Editors' Choice for September 2011

Alice Cooper's sequel to 1975's Welcome to My Nightmare is a star-studded affair that modernizes his shock rock via cameos from Ke$ha and Vince Gill.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Half torch songs and half laments,Disturbing the Air is some of Azita's clearest, most vulnerable music.

— Heather Phares

Barn Owl's Jon Porras and Evan Caminiti have augmented and expanded their sonic terrain on Lost in the Glare.

— Thom Jurek

A thorough anthology of DeBarge's four 1981-1985 albums for Motown's Gordy subsidiary, featuring six Top Ten R&B hits.

— Andy Kellman

In a partnership more comfortable than some might expect, Marsalis and Clapton play the music they love with palpable joy and natural chemistry.

— Rovi Staff

French duo Glorior Belli deliver plenty of doom and darkness on The Great Southern Darkness.

— Gregory Heaney

After numerous mixtapes, the talented rapper makes his official debut on Jay-Z's Roc Nation label.

— David Jeffries

Johnny Winter’s first new studio album in over seven years features Winter and guests brilliantly covering 11 classic blues numbers.

— Steve Leggett

Kasabian’s fourth effort is the mind-bending Velociraptor!, an ambitious whirlwind featuring the single "Days Are Forgotten."

— David Jeffries

A highly desirable gift for fans of Lewis Black, The Prophet features an archival 1990 recording of the comedian.

— David Jeffries

Lindsey Buckingham's Seeds We Sow is his home-recorded, self-released debut. Alternative music never sounded so good.

— Thom Jurek

On Red Mars, his first new solo work since 2004, Loren Connors presents a new direction and an inner view of outer space.

— Thom Jurek

Mates of State's sixth album is as enthusiastic, focused, and packed with hooky indie rock as ever; they show no signs of slowing down after a decade in the business.

— Tim Sendra

The Bootleg Series, Vol. 1 features Miles' second quintet in Europe at its fiery best on three previously unreleased CDs and a DVD.

— Thom Jurek

Era Extraña finds Neon Indian's Alan Palomo growing beyond chillwave's confines while staying in touch with his pop instincts.

— Heather Phares

Nick Lowe doesn't change speeds on The Old Magic, but he still delivers a charming collection of crooning pop and Americana.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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Heritage is the bravest, most musically adventurous, and wildly excessive album in Opeth's career.

— Thom Jurek

The comedian grows older and discovers “The Miracle of Sweatpants” on this hilarious effort.

— David Jeffries

Rafter Roberts (of Rafter) and Simon Lord (of the Black Ghosts) collaborate on a charmingly low-key and off-kilter dance-pop album.

— Tim Sendra

On their debut album, Shimmering Stars mine the ghostly echoes of '50s and '60s dream pop and come up with an impressively sweet and haunting indie pop sound.

— Tim Sendra

Strange Mercy is St. Vincent’s most reflective and most audacious album to date.

— Heather Phares

The group's fun Stones Throw debut appropriates psychedelic funk, classic R&B, and roots-based soul.

— Jason Lymangrover

This May Be My Last Time Singing features goespel 45 RPMs influenced by the prime R&B, blues and soul eras.

— Thom Jurek

Veronica Falls' debut album is a thrilling blend of indie pop hooks, punk energy, and post-punk gloom, sweetened by Roxanne Clifford's captivating vocals.

— Tim Sendra

The debut of this '90s indie supergroup is one of 2011's most dynamic rock albums.

— Heather Phares

On West, Wooden Shjips push their psychotic neo-psychedelia to the breaking point.

— Thom Jurek