The 1990s, who share origins and former members with fellow Scots Franz Ferdinand, are an indie rock group on the rise. The blogosphere is already all over them, and these days, that usually means the rest of the world is just a breath away. Or at least a car commercial.

Signed to the same European label that has carried The Strokes, The Libertines, Belle & Sebastian, and The Arcade Fire, the 1990s' pedigree alone ought to be enough to get your attention. But wait, there's more.

Not only are their songs airy David Bowie-evoking pop gems -- particularly "59," the first single from their latest album, Kicks -- but they also have flat-out incredible videos to match.

The "59" video, which has just entered the MTV2 rotation, is a stop-motion animation masterpiece. The band members and assorted other characters are rendered as two-dimensional paper cut-outs, uncrumpling and grooving out in a charming miniature world. It's stunning.

Watch "59" and see why we love the 1990s!

So, I got the inside scoop on Ida Maria's Discover & Download interview from a producer on the show. Turns out your Topshop tour guide showed up at MTV, pretty much straight from the hospital, where she'd been receiving treatment for injuries related to falling down. I don't know much beyond that, but I do know that she toughed it out and pulled off the feature, even though she had a massive black eye. Her totally paraphrased, zoned-out reaction to the whole situation was, "Well? Um? I'll just do it in me sunglasses?" What a badass.

I'm really glad she had those shades handy, because she managed to answer a few very important questions that I'd been wondering about. For one thing, she reveals the meaning of "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked." Apparently it means that she wishes the entire male population of the world was completely naked. All of the time. Sounds like a super awkward and floppy time to me, but then again, I'm not exactly a smart-mouthed British rock star, so what do I know?

Another thing: why does "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" video look so much like Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out?" Because they were both directed by award-winning Swede, Jonas Odell (I'm From Barcelona, U2), obviously.

Finally, is it a bad idea to drink before a show? Ida Maria says ... YES! So, don't do it. Even if you're super-thirsty. All those pervy details and more are waiting for you in the exclusive interview clip. Watch it below and click here to download a free MP3 of "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked!"

Franz Ferdinand have released "Ulysses," the first single from their upcoming third album, Tonight. Now, when a band who share a name with the Archduke whose assassination started WWI names one of their songs after the most famous literary character of all time, you gotta assume that they're up to something, right? It's quarter to five over here, and even with my third cup of coffee half-drained, I can't claim to be at my sharpest. But, based on the video, which is a collage of madcap tour scenes (disco clubs, laundromats, trashed hotel rooms), I'm gonna go ahead and hypothesize that the boys of Franz Ferdinand who once begged us to "Take Me Out" are tired and wondering when they get to go home. Sadly, a quick read of the lyrics (and the history books) suggests that the answer is... never. They got their fame and now they're stuck with it. LUCKY FOR US! As for the song, it sounds kinda like a more sinister take on Spoon's "I Turn My Camera On." Take a look/listen...

+ Sarcastic songstress Lily Allen says she's considering joining a nunnery! But her motives are sliiiiiightly less than pure: "I wouldn't do it for Jesus," Allen clarifies. "I would do it to see tabloid gossip people have zero to write about." (NY Post)

+ Meanwhile, fellow Brit Amy Winehouse was robbed! The singer reportedly lost $21,000 worth of property when her house was burglarized. Hmm, wonder how the perps knew she'd be out... (E! Online)

+ And in other Winehouse-related news, Amy (first name "If You Seek") will join The Killers and Franz Ferdinand in headlining Coachella! That is, assuming she doesn't miss her return flight/drink herself into oblivion first. (MTV News)

+ Taylor Swift is getting set to headline her own tour starting this April. Because that's what happens when you've had the #1 album for 8 WEEKS AND COUNTING. (MTV News)

+ Grab yer magnets! Rihanna sees Beyonce's robo-glove, raises her a gigundo prosthetic leg. (Neon Limelight)

+ Rapper 50 Cent releases a brand-new dis track targeting rap rival/former corrections officer Rick Ross. Among those unimpressed by the new song? You guessed it: Officer Ross. (MTV News)

+ Pete Wentz joins his wifey in defending Jessica Simpson and criticizing the mainstream media: "I think that the media puts too harsh of a spotlight on women in general, and I think it's a bummer," said the skinny jeans-wearing FOB. (Usmagazine.com)

+ Dawn Richard denies rumors that Diddy's breaking up DK and sez the Bad Boy is "devastated" by what's been happening. Devastated! (MTV News)

+ Paula Abdul flashback! Travel back to a time when she was less loopy -- but her outfits were completely insane. (Scandalist)

When we think of Franz Ferdinand, the first things that come to mind are skinny jeans, yummy British accents and the assassinated Archduke of Austria. And now, thanks to this awesome video interview we did with the band, we can also add sunlight-averse and addicted to Scottish energy drinks to the mix.

Check it out, and find out what skeletons are (literally!) lying in Alex, Nick, Bob and Paul's closet, plus learn five fun facts about the guy's upcoming new album, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand. Now, who needs an im-bru??

+ Holy stunt double! Zac Efron's waxy doppelganger gives us the Hebrew jeebies. (Dlisted)

+ After a week of R&R, Janet Jackson is officially ready to RockWitchu once again. (MTV News)

+ Watch Katie Holmes sing and dance all sexy-like, and then ask yourselves: What Would Xenu Think? (Usmagazine.com)

+ Even if you didn't win a free trip to Mexico for Los Premios, you'll still want to tune in on October 16th to catch performances by Tokio Hotel and Metallica. (MTV Tr3s)

+ The Beastie Boys hit to road to make sure you can't, you won't and you don't stop...voting. (Rolling Stone)

+ David Archuleta will sing "God Bless America" in the 7th inning of tonight's ALCS series opener. Sorry, ladies, all ball-girl positions are currently filled. (Archuleta Fan Scene)

+ Franz Ferdinand whipped out some new material last night in front of a hipstery, Williamsburg crowd. (Billboard)

+ The good news? Guns N' Roses' new album, Chinese Democracy, is coming atcha November 23rd. The bad news? You can only get it at Best Buy. The best-ever news? Possible free Dr. Peppers for all! (Scandalist)

+ Better luck next time, Royston Langdon. Because the crazy rumor of the day is that formerly scary-haired singer/guitarist Lenny Kravitz will be stepping in for Scott Weiland as Velvet Revolver's new frontman. (Idolator)

+ The Jonas Brothers describe their TRL takeover as "an amazing time in our lives." Our thoughts exactly. (MTV)

+ These days, it's "mo' money, mo' problems" for High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens. (E! Online)

+ And today in unlikely collaborations, Usher and Keith Urban will be teaming up to give a free NFL kickoff concert. (Billboard)

+ British supermodel Agnyness Deyn is reportedly engaged to Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. Which totally explains the collective high-pitched scream of "NOOOOOOOO!" we heard all the way across the Atlantic. (Fashion Gossip Weekly)

+ Can't wait for Madden '09? Check out Franz Ferdinand's website, where they're streaming the game's featured track, "Lucid Dreams." (Franz Ferdinand)

+ Lil Wayne to his fans at the Virgin Mobile festival: "[If] y'all got Tha Carter III...I f---in' appreciate you." (MTV)

+ Amy Winehouse apologizes for making a racist home video and permanently ruining the song "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." (NME)

+ Lil Wayne explains why rapping about The Big Easy is a whole lot harder than it sounds. (MTV)

+ Franz Ferdinand proves there's no venue -- or dive bar -- too small. (NME)

+ Sticks and stones can break Radiohead's bones, but U2's manager, Paul McGuiness, can never hurt them. (Idolator)

+ What would you do for a Klondike Bar -- and by Klondike Bar, we mean tickets to My Bloody Valentine's rehearsal show? (Stereogum)

+The Wham! film isn't shaping up to be the next Sex and the City: The Movie after all. (Digital Spy)

Relevant video:

+ Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer are reportedly seeing each other...naked. (E! Online)

+ Meanwhile, Mayer's ex Jessica Simpson may or may not have cheated on her boyfriend Tony Romo with effeminate Scrubs star Zach Braff. (Allie Is Wired)

+ Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz discovers a new way to cash in on his quickie-marriage to Ashlee Simpson. (Dlisted)

+ Franz Ferdinand, Blondie, Interpol and Death Cab for Cutie are among the talented headliners at Latitude, a first-rate music festival that's (sadly!) for U.K. fans only. (Virtual Festivals)

+ If you want to see Madonna in concert, you'd better hurry. Tickets are selling out faster than you can say "Four Minutes." And they wonder why she's called "The Material Girl." (Pollstar)

+ Excited for the 2008 MTV Movie Awards? You should be. Especially now that Coldplay and The Pussycat Dolls are both confirmed performers. (MTV)

If XTC, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel and Franz Ferdinand had one kid each, they all grew up, went to Columbia, dressed in sensible sweaters, became obsessed with African pop, and started a band, they'd be called Vampire Weekend.

MTV Discover & Download artists Vampire Weekend, like Black Kids, are the shining-star it-kids of the "blog bands" that dominated 2007. And even though they're from the Upper West Side, they're essentially a Brooklyn band too.

Check out their new video, "A Punk" (watch for the puffy-paint customized shades -- very Soulja Boy, and all those winter accessories conjure visions of a Gap ad next fall) and see why they've got the Innernet goin' nuts.

+ More new indie videos at Subterraneanblog.com.