EDITOR'S NOTE: This post is syndicated from Joe Koch's blog, Of Figs and Mint. As well as being a music reviewer and commentator, Joe is a user and artist on Amie Street.

Amie Street is one of the best services on the Internet, and I'm not just saying that because I'm going to hit them up to syndicate this post on their blog later on today. They provide great new music and reissues at a price that is set by the album's demand. Here's what's new over there:

This album was just released on Tuesday and I can already tell that it will be one of my favorites of the year. Imagine Hem teaming up with The National and letting Jón Þór Birgisson [of Sigur Rós] lead the artistic direction. The result is ambient and minimal without losing a distinctive, personal Southern flavor. I haven't listened to anything else for the last 24 hours and I continually hear new things in the intricately subtle layers that line the album's faint corners.

As an avid Deadhead, I couldn't resist a sixties Bay area throwback, even though the Airplane is not my favorite from that era (New Riders and Quicksilver coming is 2nd and 3rd) but they do have their moments. The hip"White Rabbit" that opens the set really is top notch, almost making me miss the days of wine and acid. I couldn't help but picture Benicio del Toro pleading with Johnny Depp to throw the radio in the tub when the song peaks (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas). I think I'm going to have to dig around and find some old Hunter Thompson and play this one all the way through. As snobbish about music as one gets, it's always good to remember where you come from, and the Airplane certainly had an impact on my own ideas about music.

This album was an underground breakout for Blitzen Trapper in '07, and for a very good reason. The strange brew of Southern rock fused with a brand of noise similar to Old Time Relijun, another Pacific Northwest act, makes for a wild (mountainous?) ride. Their self titled debut is also available here, so you might as well pick them both up for the price.

After their Paste cover and the proclamation by the editors over there that "These guys made the best record of 2007...do you know who they are?" most people have made it their business to find out. Boxer is certainly a fine album, but, in my opinion, not as fine as Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers, the group's third release. Maybe you disagree. Maybe you don't know because you're yet unfamiliar with The National. If the latter speaks of you, do yourself a favor and get all of their first three albums for cheap on Amie, then you won't mind shelling out the big bucks for Alligator and Boxer because I'm sure you'll be a fan.

Although Hernando is a pretty good album (visit americanaroots.com for my review), the Allstars are definitely a live band, and this set showcases some of their best work from their previous four albums. It's a double discer, so, again, the price is unmatched. "Georgia Women/Po Black Maddie" is the centerpiece and a mindboggling jam, but "Mississippi Boll Weevil" and "Teasin' Brown" also hit with the Allstars' characteristic furious blues power. Not to mention Luther will be joining The Black Crowes on their next tour and is comfortable onstage with the likes of such various and talented acts as Antibalas and Medeski, Martin and Wood (Bonnaroo 2004).