James rings out details of new album, tour

The reunited group of Mancunians known as James, about whom it is difficult to scour online news feeds since its nomenclature also calls up search results about James Blunt, LeBron James and former James Bond Pierce Brosnan, has announced complete details for a modest 2008 UK tour. Additionally, bare facts have surfaced about the original, thusfar untitled new album that will accompany it (April 7).

The record will be the group’s first since 2001’s Brian Eno-produced Pleased to Meet You, after which vocalist Tim Booth took his shamanistic dancing out of the picture to work on a solo career. It’s been known the band was back together since January, with the same lineup that created Laid and the beloved, same-named single-track ode to doin' it.

Following the release of a singles comp, the initial reunion gigs, including an August tribute concert to the late Tony Wilson (who offered the band its first deal on Factory), went off this past spring without a hitch, so everything’s gravy for ought-eight. Opening the shows will be not-so-self-descriptive Birmingham rockers The Twang, who no doubt hope the slot will work out for them as it has past guests who found success immediately after a James tour (See: Nirvana, Radiohead, Supergrass, Coldplay and many others.) As tastemakers, these dudes put inner-net blogs to shame.

Sit down, at least initially, at the following concerts:

April
10 - Derby, UK @ Derby Assembly Rooms
11 - Lincoln, UK @ Engine Shed
12 - Liverpool, UK @ University
14 - Newcastle, UK @ Academy
15 - Sheffield, UK @ Academy
17 - London, UK @ Shepherds Bush Empire
18 - Norwich, UK @ UEA
21 - Bristol, UK @ Colston Hall
22 - Blackpool, UK @ Empress Ballroom
24 - Edinburgh, UK @ Corn Exchange
25 - Aberdeen, UK @ AECC