They are playing clubs, theatres and universities, and continuing work on their next album, a follow up to 1999’s This Desert Life. Fans could get a surprise treat if the band decides to test some of the new material live.

Since their lengthy co-headlining tour with Live last year, Counting Crows have been in the studio working on the new album. This summer they managed to squeeze in a few festival and one-off gigs before officially taking to the road for real.

Folks on the Crows’ e-mail list can take advantage of the band’s Internet concert ticket pre-sale offer. Check their official Web site at www.countingcrows.com for information on purchasing tickets for the tour.

Known for their somber lyrics and roots-inflected rock ‘n’ roll, the Crows emerged from the San Francisco scene in the early ‘90s and have hardly taken a break since then. They started touring full force, opening for Midnight Oil, Suede, and The Cranberries in 1993.