Manchester quintet Elbow are prepping the follow-up to their critically acclaimed, Mercury Music Prize nominated debut Asleep in the Back. Bassist Pete Turner said the band was taking a new direction with the as-yet-untitled effort, due next May on V2 Records.

"We've written a few songs," he said. "We're working a different way this time. On the first album, we had such a long time to do it, and this time we're working at Craig's [Potter, organist] and using a Pro Tools set up."

Following the band's appearance this year at this year's Coachella festival, Elbow returned to their studio in Manchester for a month where they wrote a host of songs including, "Lay Down Your Cross," "Rib Cage" and "Fugitive Motel." "It's very eclectic at the moment," said Potter. "Each song is different from the others. We're not exactly sure what the album's going to sound like to give it a 'sound.' We're just seeing how everything goes, really."

Ben Hiller will again produce the release, which the band plan to record at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, the locale where Coldplay laid down their upcoming effort A Rush of Blood to the Head. Turner says Elbow's numbers may be extended with an orchestra when they get in the studio. "There's a couple of songs that would really suit strings and horns," he said.

Elbow vocalist Guy Garvey has also recorded vocals for Manchester dance outfit 808 State, who are working on a new record. Elbow will return stateside this fall with support from Texas outfit Lift to Experience.

Elbow tour dates:

9/3: Washington, D.C., 9:30 Club
9/4: New York, Bowery Ballroom
9/5: Philadelphia, Theater of Living Arts
9/6: Boston, Paradise Rock Club
9/8: Detroit, St. Andrews Hall
9/9: Chicago, Metro/Smart Bar
9/10: Minneapolis, Ascot Room at Quest Club
9/12: Lawrence, KS, The Bottleneck
9/13: Denver, Bluebird Theater
9/16: San Diego, CA, The Casbah
9/17: Los Angeles, El Rey Theater
9/18: San Francisco, Great American Music Hall
9/20: Portland, OR, Berbati's Pan
9/21: Seattle, Graceland

JOLIE LASH
(August 22, 2002)