Pop-rockers the Smithereens will celebrate the release of their first

album in five years, God Save the Smithereens, with a tour slated

to kick off next week in Connecticut.

After opening in New Haven, the band will hit clubs in Falls Church, Va.;

Boston; and Hockessin, Del. More dates are expected to follow.

The album, due Tuesday, marks the Smithereens' sixth full-length release

and their first album of new material since 1994's A Date With the

Smithereens. In addition to the lead single, "She's Got a Way"

(RealAudio

excerpt), the LP features "The Age of Innocence," "The Last

Good Time" and a rewrite of Billie Holiday's "Gloomy Sunday" (RealAudio

excerpt). The band recorded the disc in New York with producer

Don Fleming (Teenage Fanclub, the Posies, Hole).

"I am looking forward to touring again, especially for this album, which

is long overdue," guitarist Jim Babjak said in a statement. "The band

sounds great, and we have become so much better through the years."

Singer Pat DiNizio recently opened the online service Psycholaborations,

through which he writes and records songs featuring lyrics submitted by

fans. He then sends the fans, who pay for the service, copies of their

songs. DiNizio also has made a deal to release the best of his initial

Psycholaborations as an album tentatively titled Strangers on a

Refrain.

The Smithereens first found success on college radio with songs such as

"Blood and Roses" (RealAudio

excerpt), from Especially for You (1986), and "Only a

Memory," from Green Thoughts (1988).

The New Jersey band, whose music has displayed an affinity for the mod

pop of the 1960s British Invasion, released a pair of compilations in

1995 — the hits package Blown to Smithereens and the rarities

collection Attack of the Smithereens.

Smithereens tour dates:

Oct. 21; New Haven, Conn.; Toad's Place

Oct. 22; Falls Church, Va.; State Theatre

Oct. 23; Boston, Mass.; Bill's Bar & Lounge

Oct. 29; Hockessin, Del.; M.R. Doc's