Singer/songwriter Elliott Smith will take to the road for a string of solo acoustic dates before the release of his still-untitled fifth album.

The six-date tour will kick off on Feb. 20 at the Black Cat in Washington, D.C., and include stops in Massachusetts, Minneapolis, Chicago and Seattle. It will wind up March 1 at the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, according to a spokesperson for the singer.

Smith has been working on his new LP, which one of the album's producers described as a mix of harder rock and the lush, melodic folk sound found on his critically acclaimed XO (1998).

"It's always an evolution in songwriting and harmonic structure — he always pushes himself and pushes his envelope," producer Tom Rothrock said.

Building on lo-fi XO songs, such as "Waltz #1" (RealAudio excerpt) and his Oscar-nominated "Miss Misery" (RealAudio excerpt), from the "Good Will Hunting" soundtrack, Smith has recorded tracks that feature acoustic and electric instrumentation mixed with string sections.

The new album, which does not have a finalized track listing, is set for a late spring or early summer release, according to Smith's publicity firm, Girlie Action.

Bassist Sam Coomes of Quasi, the hard-rocking duo who have backed Smith on some of his live shows, plays on several of the LP's tracks, Rothrock said. Coomes also played with Smith in the defunct rock band Heatmiser. Other musicians slated to appear on the album include drummer Joey Waronker, who performs with Beck and R.E.M., and drummer Pete Thomas of Elvis Costello's Attractions, Rothrock said.

A possible track listing for Smith's new album, according to Girlie Action, is: "Son of Sam," "Junkbond Trader," "Everything Reminds Me of Her," "Pretty Mary Kay," "Color Bars," "Wouldn't Mama Be Proud," "L.A.," "The Lost and Found," "I Better Be Quiet Now," "Happiness" and "Stupidity Tries."

Elliott Smith tour dates:

Feb. 20; Washington, D.C.; Black Cat

Feb. 24; Cambridge, Mass.; Middle East Club

Feb. 25; Minneapolis, Minn.; 400 Bar

Feb. 26.; Chicago, Ill.; Empty Bottle

Feb. 28; Seattle, Wash.; Breakroom

March 1; San Francisco, Calif.; Bottom of the Hill