The Dresden Dolls released their new album, “Yes Virginia” here in the US yesterday. It’s super good. But don’t take my word for it… head on over to their MySpace and stream the whole darned thing. You can also download the track Dirty Business from their website.

The full album is now available for download via the iTunes Music Store. You can also pick up the CD at Amazon, or better yet, at your locally owned record store.

I may write a proper review after I’ve had time to absorb it all… For the time being we’ll just throw it into the category of “Thank god they released a new album, and thank god it’s this good.” I’m really happy with it, but I’m still pissed at them for having absolutely no Bay Area dates listed for their upcoming tour. Hollywood? WTF Dolls? SoCal is miserable… Hollywood especially so… come to SF! Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase? If you do, I will personally make you the best damn cherry pie you’ve ever had.

Apple introduced the new iPod Hi-Fi today, and it looks pretty cool (if a bit out of my price range).

It comes with a remote, you can plug other audio devices in to it (both analog and digital), it’s portable using common D-cell batteries, and of course it integrates with any dockable iPod seamlessly (using the iPod dock adapter). When you plug your Nano or iPod with video into it, you get a new menu called “Speakers” that allow you to control the speaker’s tone, which is pretty cool. It also charges your iPod.

I can’t vouch for the sound, but the tech specs do look pretty impressive.

Two things, I *don’t* like about it:

1. Dock on top. I dunno… to me the iPod looks a little silly just popping out of the the thing like that. Also, with the Hi-Fi’s low profile, it seems like there might be some issues on how it would go into certain shelves. Like… it might seem like it would fit perfectly into that shelf above the TV on your entertainment center, but the clearance would not only need to accommodate the height of the iPod, but some wiggle room as well to actually put the iPod in the dock.

2. It only comes in white. A lot of black iPod owners are gonna raise a ruckus. I’d be willing to bet that we’ll see a black model in April, if not sooner.

You can buy it at the Apple Store for $349, and I wouldn’t mind a bit if you used my link to do so :)

Morrisey, former front man of The Smiths (do I even need to point that out?) claims to have been questioned by the FBI and Special branch.

“They were trying to determine if I was a threat to the government, and similarly in England. But it didn’t take them very long to realize that I’m not.”

I’m not exactly sure when this happened as none of the articles floating around the interweb seem to bother going into any real detail. None the less, it is making the rounds in a big way today, and I would be remiss to not add to the cacophony.

Personally, I love the headline from AlterNet: “Morrissey, the next terror threat?”

Having been a fan of his for so long I just have to laugh at this. I mean… what genius at the FBI actually thought, “Now this guy is dangerous!”

Say… you don’t suppose that the government might want to silence dissent, do you?

Naaaaaaaahhhhh. Not fun lovin’ George. :\

So it seems that Pretty Girls Make Graves and Matador Records are sooooo lazy that they want their fans to make their video for them. :)

YouTube is pleased to announce we’ve partnered with Matador Records to bring you the totally exclusive Pretty Girls Make Graves “Make Our Video” contest! Imagine the prestige and glory of winning the first-ever music video contest on YouTube and making a video for a band who has toured the world with Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand and Death Cab for Cutie.

Get more details at the YouTube contest page. You can pick up the song, Nocturnal House, there, or here, or at Matador (they all link to the same file).

Get those videos rollin’ people! There’s “prestige and glory” on the line here!

• Liz Durrett: Mezzanine
• Pretty Girls Make Graves: The Nocturnal House
• Paul Duncan: Be Careful What You Call Home

More From These Bands at:

Liz Durrett, Matador Records and Home-Tapes

Somewhat random selection today

• Ida: Blizzard of ‘78
• Narrator: This Party’s Over
• The New Trust: I’m a Sucker for Backwards Drums [explicit]

More From These Bands at:

Ida Music, TheNarrator.net and Slowdance

BTW: The New Trust will be playing tonight at Bottom of the Hill in SF with Communique & dear static (formerly io).