It's been seven years since Fiona Apple's last album, but a long pause between releases is business as usual for Apple, whose methodical approach to writing music has resulted in a stunning catalog of songs.

The New York City-based quintet the Walkmen have cemented their status as one of indie rock's most accomplished and talented acts in the ten years since they released their debut album. Their jagged, post-punk influenced sound has steadily mellowed and expanded, and singer Hamilton Leithauser's songwriting has matured as well.

It's been three years since Brendan Benson last stopped by The Current studios for a live set. Mark Wheat catches up with the versatile songwriter to find out what he's been up to.

Don't believe the critics of the world: Delta Spirit is not an Americana band. They may not know how to describe their music yet, but the five-piece out of California aren't going to let anyone box them into one genre.

What is a studio masterpiece album? To me, it's a record that reaches beyond the traditional boundary of studio constraints. The musicians and producers who've made this type of record have been able to think outside of the box and have found innovative ways to create an expanded sonic environment. I put The Flaming Lips' "The Soft Bulletin" in that realm.

Local music notes from the week of June 25-29

Old-friend Brandi Carlile is a prolific folk rock artist, having released her third album of the past four years. Her newest, Bear Creek, was recently our CD of the Week. While in town to kick off her tour at the Minnesota Zoo, she returned to The Current Studio to perform a few songs from Bear Creek and chat with Jill about her rainy zoo performance, the inspiration behind the new record and her long-held goal of wearing a "nudie suit."

Free event showcases Chastity Brown, Van Stee, and The Chalice

This week, 89.3 The Current has added an excellent and varied array of new tracks to the mix of music on our airwaves, from improbable collaborations to returning vets, rising noise-rockers to local indie-poppers.

How many Dave Matthews Band fans will sit through a set by a trailblazing indie electro-R&B band? And how many Motion City Soundtrack fans will stick around for a set by TOOL? These are the questions that organizers seemed to want answered at last weekend’s inaugural River’s Edge Music Festival, which paired two massive mainstream headliners…