While The Decemberist keep busy working on a follow up to 2006’s A Crane’s Wife, they also launched a plan to satisfy fans during the recording process. In an odd move, the band will release a “singles series,” starting on October 14.

Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series will come out in three volumes, which will be made available digitally and on 12” vinyl.

Volume 1 will be comprised of “Valerie Plame” and “O New England,” and will be released October 14, while Volumes II and III will come out November 4 and December 2 respectively.

Fans who pre-order all three singles through the band’s website will receive a limited edition version on colored vinyl.

The track listings for Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series:

Volume I: “Valerie Plame” / “O New England”
(Release date: October 14)

Volume II: “Days of Elaine” / “Days of Elaine (Long)” and “I’m Sticking With You”
(Release date: November 4)

Volume III: “Record Year” / “Raincoat Song”
(Release date: December 2)

In addition, The Decemberist will perform a series of concert dates around the US in support of singles.

Tour dates as follows:

11/5 New York, NY Terminal 5
11/6 Boston, MA The Orpheum
11/7 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
11/8 Baltimore, MD Ram’s Head Live
11/9 Ithaca, NY Cornell University, Barton Hall
11/11 Montclair, NJ Wellmont Theatre
11/24 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
11/25 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre
11/29 Portland, OR Crystal Ballroom
11/30 Seattle, WA The Moore Theatre

The Decemberists – “Summersong”