Boosted by the critical success of his debut album, "Here Be Monsters" (Capitol), British singer-songwriter Ed Harcourt [ tickets ] will play a handful of North American dates beginning May 7 in San Francisco.

Harcourt's literate guitar pop has drawn comparisons to such esteemed performers as Rufus Wainwright, Badly Drawn Boy and Nick Cave.

The singer played a handful of shows earlier this year, including a well-received set during the South By Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas.