Rap-rock quintet 311 [ tickets ] returns to the spotlight this summer with its seventh studio album and a summer road trip that kicks off in mid July.

G. Love & Special Sauce [ tickets ], Something Corporate [ tickets ], O.A.R. [ tickets ] and DJ P will open a number of the upcoming shows. Details are posted at 311's website.

In addition to its many headlining dates, 311 [ tickets ]'s itinerary also includes a July 26 performance Rolling Rock Town Fair IV in Pittsburgh, where the band will share the stage with Puddle of Mudd, Def Leppard, Sum 41, Trapt and others.

The Omaha-based group's latest, titled "Evolver," does not yet have a release date, but the group is shooting for July 22, according to a message posted at its website, and it hopes to deliver the first single to radio stations by late June.

311 recorded "Evolver" at the band's Hive Studios in Los Angeles, with producer Ron Saint Germain. Singer-guitarist Nick Hexum, in a message posted the band's website, talked about how the group selected the new album's title.

"After 14 years together as a band, I think we've really grown and evolved as people, musicians and songwriters," he said. "And we feel like our fans (and music lovers in general) have evolved right along with us. ... We've always loved mixing rock, rap, reggae, funk, jazz, etc. ... because we love all types of music--and I know we're not alone.

"The new album will have plenty of classic 311 rockers," he continued, "but as we take another step forward in the evolution of 311, the record also branches out into some new territory. All of this led us to the title "Evolver" (along with a love for the Beatles album "Revolver"). We think it suits the album perfectly."

The "Evolver" enhanced-CD will include interviews with 311's members, concert footage and a mini-documentary that details the making of the album cover.