The new project, Consolers of the Lonely, will be released “everywhere, meaning: local mom and pop indie retailers, corporate superstores, supermarkets, iTunes, Amazon, the band’s own web site and any other location that could get the record up and going this quickly.” Those that can’t will soon follow.

According to a lengthy message on The Raconteurs’ web site, the band completed and mastered the album in the first week of March and then rushed it into production to make it available on vinyl, CD and for digital release quickly.

“The purpose: to get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised. We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the exact same time so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding its availability, reception or perception.

“Also in the event that the record leaks, we didn’t want this method of release to be seen as a reaction to such a leak. It’s not. The actual worst thing about a leak is the usual poor sound quality, akin to watching a movie on a wristwatch instead of in a theater.”

The band will hit the road next month for a brief trek in support of the new album, beginning April 20 at Richard’s On Richards in Vancouver.

Other stops include Neumo’s in Seattle (April 21), Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco (April 23), the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, Calif. (April 25), Fillmore Auditorium in Denver (April 28), House of Blues in Dallas (May 1) and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (May 4).

Tickets for a couple of shows on the tour are available at Ticketmaster.com beginning March 20.

Although Consolers will be available at iTunes, the band is hoping to persuade fans to forgo buying it as individual tracks.

“The band also prefer that fans buy the album as a whole instead of breaking up the tracks, but until iTunes and other digital services allow bands to release their albums with the option of not breaking it up, it will be sold in that fashion on those particular sites.

“On the band’s web site however, the album will be sold in its entirety as mp3s at 320kb bit rate. Also in Japan, fans will be able to download the record vial their mobile phones, as that is how a majority of recorded music is consumed there.”