Alt-pop eccentrics The Decemberists [ tickets ], who spent the summer performing in front of full orchestras, will launch another unusual tour late this fall, with multiple shows in each city.

The Portland, OR-based group will play at least two shows in each town it hits through early December on "The Long and Short of It Tour," alternating performances consisting of the band's longer, more progressive-oriented material with shows comprised of the group's shorter, pop-geared compositions.

The tour kicks off with a two-night stretch, Oct. 28-29, in Chicago, and stops are planned in a dozen cities. Singer Laura Veirs [ tickets ], who guests on the band's most recent album, last year's "The Crane Wife," will provide opening support during the tour. Dates are shown below.

Presale tickets for each show will be made available beginning tomorrow (8/25) through the band's website. Additionally, a limited number of custom tickets designed by the band's illustrator, Carson Ellis, will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis to fans who purchase presale tickets.

The group will release a new EP, "The Perfect Crime #2," on Sept. 25, featuring remixes of the title song by A Touch of Class, Diplo and Junior Boys. A free MP3 of the Junior Boys' version of the cut is being given away by Capitol Records and can be obtained through the band's website.