The Raconteurs have surprised fans by announcing plans to rush-release a new album, Consolers Of The Lonely, on Tuesday (25 March).

It’s a bold strategy that recalls Radiohead’s shock release of In Rainbows in October 2007 – although the difference is that, whereas that album initially came out as a download-only release, Consolers Of The Lonely will be available on all formats simultaneously.

In a joint press release, the Jack White/Brendan Benson-fronted band said: “We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the exact same time so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding its availability, reception or perception.”

A video for the album’s first single, Salute Your Solution will surface the same day – “provided it gets edited in time.”

Consolers Of The Lonely is the follow-up to The Raconteurs’ debut album, 2006’s Broken Boy Soldiers.

[Myspace]