Fans fearing a lull in the boy band market between 'NSYNC's latest and the next Backstreet Boys effort will be pleased to learn that 98 Degrees is well on its way to wrapping up a new album.

Group member Drew Lachey tells the official 98 Degrees Web site (at www.98degrees.com) that the guys have nine songs finished and a few more to complete before delivering the follow-up to 1998's "98 Degrees & Rising."

"It's starting to feel like it's coming together," Lachey writes on the site. "Right now we're picking photographers, video concepts, and trying to get all our stuff in order."

Lachey notes that the group has yet to settle on a title for the album, but tells fans that it is expected to arrive on September 26.

He offers few details about the sound of the new album, but one of the group's high-profile friends, fellow teen popper Jessica Simpson (girlfriend of 98 Degrees' Nick Lachey) told MTV's "Total Request Live" on Wednesday that the release will carry more up-tempo numbers than the guys' previous work.

Drew also goes on to note that he expects the Cincinnati Reds to have a good season.