New music from The Rosebuds - "Avalon"

After releasing a Christmas album and an album covering Sade's Love Deluxe, late last year, The Rosebuds are back again, this time with a single new song for the soundtrack of a young adult novel, of all things.

The fantastic new song is titled "Avalon" and is featured on the soundtrack for the book Crap Kingdom by comedian and author DC Pierson. "Avalon" can be streamed or downloaded via the Soundcloud widget below.

More music from the album including songs by Ted Leo, Free Energy, The Ettes and more can be streamed or downloaded HERE.

Best Coast announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

After spending a few weeks in this spring playing arenas as Green Day's opening act, indie pop band Best Coast will hit the road on a headline tour which in support of their sophomore album The Only Place, released last year.

The band will play the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Saturday, June 1. Guards and Lovely Band Things will open. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 8, via Etix for $20.

Check out the music video for "Do You Love Me Like You Used To" from The Only Place below.

Eleanor Friedberger to release 'Personal Record' in June

Two years after releasing her debut solo album, singer-songwriter Eleanor Friedberger (half of The Fiery Furnaces) is back with her sophomore album Personal Record. Merge Records will release the album on June 4.

Check out the catchy, jangle pop tune "Stare at the Sun," the fourth track from the new album, below as well as the complete track list.

Friedberger took a trip to Jamaica after recording the album and used some footage from the trip for an album teaser. Check that out below as well.

Japandroids announce spring tour, coming to Carrboro

Canadian garage rock duo Japandroids released their highly acclaimed sophomore album Celebration Rock last year and it topped our 2012 readers' poll for best album of the year. The band have just announced some new spring tour dates which will bring them to the Triangle.

They'll play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Wednesday, June 5. A Place To Bury Strangers will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 8, via Etix for $15.

The band just performed the song "The Nights of Wine and Roses" on Conan last week. Check out the performance below.

Album Review: Shout Out Louds - Optica

The Shout Out Louds are a conundrum. Their latest release, Optica, makes all the right moves, but truly memorable music still eludes the band.

The sterile sound that plagued their previous release, Work, has been addressed. Optica is still polished, but much more easy going. Softer tones and a lazy haze give most of the album a glean of modern nostalgia. Songs like “Walking In Your Footsteps” definitely sound like they could’ve have appeared on a soundtrack for a long lost John Hughes film.

It sounds like the members of Shouts Out Louds are actually enjoying themselves. This record is less work and more play. Their playfulness can be heard in the off-kilter percussion of “Circles,” the dance-worthy beats of “14th of July,” and the jazz flute that’s all over the album. These small experiments make Optica a more enjoyable listen than Work.