It may be hip to be square, as Huey Lewis and the News once sang, but no one ever tried to argue that it was hip to be washed up, forgotten, finito. So the '80s R&B-rockers have a plan to be, well, square again.

First Lewis sang and acted with Hollywood heartthrob Gwyneth Paltrow in last fall's "Duets," scoring a hit single with his cover of Smokey Robinson's "Cruisin'" along the way. Now it's on to Plan B.

Huey Lewis and the News will release their first album of original material in 10 years in July, according to their management. Plan B follows 1996's The Time Flies: The Best of Huey Lewis & the News and the 1994 covers collection Four Chords & Several Years Ago.

The group — Lewis and original members guitarist/saxophonist Johnny Colla, drummer Bill Gibson, and keyboardist Sean Hopper, along with longtime bassist John Pierce and guitarist Stef Burns — will promote the new album with a 25-date tour of amphitheaters across America.

Joining the band on tour will be its veteran horn section, the News Brothers: trumpeter Marvin McFadden, saxophonist Rob Sudduth and saxophonist Ron Stallings.

Lewis and the News will plug the album July 20 on "Live with Regis and Kelly."

The San Francisco band is best known for the 1983 album, Sports, which spawned four top-10 hits, including "The Heart of Rock & Roll." Fore! followed three years later and featured the friendly hits "Stuck with You" and "Hip to Be Square."

Huey Lewis and the News tour dates, according to their management:

• 7/2 - Livermore, CA @ Wente Vineyards