If you catch Coldplay in concert and happen to hear something resembling Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You," don't let your jaw drop too far and don't strain your neck looking for the Clipse.

The British quartet has been working parts of the Timberlake tune, as well as a smattering of Destiny's Child's "Independent Women, Pt. 1," into the set lists on their current tour, which runs through March 13 in Minneapolis.

The group has also been trying out three or four new songs that might appear on the follow-up to A Rush of Blood to the Head. Having been on the road more often than not since their latest album dropped in August, Coldplay find themselves forced to write new material on the road because they don't have any free time.

"We always try to play the songs in sound check, but you can gauge a song much better when you're playing it as a performance rather than just practice," drummer Will Champion said. "It's important that you start playing it and work out where the weaknesses are and work out where the strong points are, and so on. Use the audience like guinea pigs, you know?"

Coldplay hope to begin recording sometime after September, when they estimate they'll finally finish touring behind their second album, which has sold nearly 900,000 copies, according to SoundScan.

As radio listeners continue to chime in with praise for the album's second U.S. single, "Clocks," Coldplay have shot a new video for the song and plan to release it in mid-February. The group's languid, melancholy sound is something of an anomaly in today's music environment, and that's just fine by the bandmembers. They never wanted to be just a face in the crowd, anyway.

"If you offer something different from other bands, then people are going to listen," explained Champion. "Whether they say, 'I hate that' or 'I think that's great,' then that's for them to determine. If you offer someone something different, then their ears will perk up and they'll make a decision after that."

Coldplay will take a break from their tour itinerary in mid-February, not to rest but to do even more playing — perhaps their most high-profile gig yet. Coldplay, along with Norah Jones, Bruce Springsteen and Nelly are slated to perform February 23 at the 45th annual Grammy Awards, where they're up for two awards: Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group for "In My Place" (see "Norah Jones, Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill Added To Grammy Performers List").

"Playing at awards shows is always quite tough because you've got a tough crowd," Champion said. "They're all musicians, and quite a few of them are great and some are not so great. It's not like you're playing in front of your fans."

As far as their chances for back-to-back wins — Parachutes won Best Alternative Music Album last year — Coldplay aren't overly optimistic. After giving the expected spiel about how it's an honor to be nominated, Champion admitted that winning isn't everything, but losing can be a bummer.

"We really don't care about awards that much," he said, "unless we don't win. It's quite easy not to care about them when you get nominated, and when you win, you just go, 'Oh gosh.' It's just an award, you know? But if you don't win, you think, 'Why the hell didn't we win?' "

Coldplay tour dates, according to Capitol Records:

  • 2/3 - St. Louis, MO @ Savvis Center
  • 2/4 - Kansas City, KS @ Memorial Hall
  • 2/6 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
  • 2/7 - Salt Lake City, UT @ SaltAir Pavilion
  • 2/9 - Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theatre
  • 2/24 - Ottawa, ON @ Corel Centre
  • 2/25 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
  • 2/27 - Wallingford, CT @ Careerbuilder.com Oakdale Theatre
  • 2/28 - Camden, NJ @ Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
  • 3/2 - Pittsburgh, PA @ A.J. Palumbo Center
  • 3/3 - Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
  • 3/4 - Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre
  • 3/6 - Duluth, GA @ Arena at Gwinnett Center
  • 3/7 - Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
  • 3/9 - Columbus, OH @ PromoWest Pavilion
  • 3/10 - Louisville, KY @ Palace Theatre
  • 3/12 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave/Eagles Ballroom
  • 3/13 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center