When people ask me what Afghan Whigs record they should listen to as an introduction to the band, without hesitation I say "Gentlemen" and here's why.

Justin Townes Earle shouldn't be overshadowed by his famous father Steve Earle. The two may have similar styles, but Justin modernizes what his dad began popularizing in the late '90s. His newest record "Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now" has garnered considerable accolades in the Americana scene, and there's a chance for you to win a copy of that CD from The Current this week.

Dylan Hicks has been in the midst of a long-term hiatus. We saw the release of his last record in 2001 after a string of prolific efforts starting all the way back in 1990. Maybe he was tired and maybe he needed something new, but we can at least partially chalk up his absence as the result of his most recent endeavor: "Boarded Windows," Hicks' new book.

I Self Devine's new record features a slew of hip-hop power players to complement an emcee who is gaining major ground locally and nationally for his whip-smart and poignant raps. In his debut for The Current, I Self Devine talks Soundset, origins, his wide-range of influences from disco to his mother, graffiti and more.

I love this quote from the band regarding the sound and texture of the record: "We wanted the louder stuff to sound cranky." Oh, it does. Even the tiniest moments of silence have a buzz and a darkness about them.

It’s been almost a year since we learned that Margaret Lane, lead singer of dark, shifting indie rock quartet Hildur Victoria, would be disbanding the group to focus on her solo material. In that project Lane’s vocal delivery was affected and almost theatrical, and it was clear that she was a talented and restless creative…

Read about and download his new track "Exist To Remain"

Local music notes from the week of April 30-May 4

In 2002, the Beastie Boys took over Program Director Jim McGuinn's then station, (Y-100 in Philadelphia) for a couple hours. A veritable mixtape from the Beasties with great tracks and ample commentary from Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock.

The television show Mad Men premiered in 2007 and almost immediately developed a cult following. Five years later, its characters' '60s lifestyle is just as engaging and entrancing. Minnesota native Vincent Kartheiser plays Pete Campbell, the love-to-hate-him — or maybe hate-to-love-him -- ladder-climbing accounts man on the show.