The Hazards of Love, set for a March 24 release, tells the tale of Margaret, who is ravaged by a shape-shifter (we’re not making this up). She has a lover named William and the story includes a forest queen and a “cold-blooded, lascivious rake.”

Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark and My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden are on the tour, delivering lead vocals for the female characters.

NPR has already called the album an “epic adventure.” Dates begin in Los Angeles May 19 at the Hollywood Palladium and the first leg of the tour wraps June 11-14 at Bonnaroo. The Decemberists will visit places like Oakland, Calif.; Eugene, Ore.; Denver; Milwaukee; and Columbus, Ohio, in between.

A limited number of presale tickets go on sale today, Feb. 8, at the Decemberists’ Web site. General onsale is Feb. 13.