British alt-rockers Keane [ tickets ] will return to the US in May to support their latest release, "Perfect Symmetry."

The trio is in Mexico this week and will tour South America before making its way stateside for a dozen performances stretching from Oakland, CA, to New York City. In between, Keene will hit major markets including Denver, Chicago, Boston and Cleveland, and cross into Canada for a May 23 gig in Toronto. North American shows are listed below and international dates can be found at Keane's website.

Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Mat Kearney, who has a new album due in May, will fill the support slot on the trek.

Following a more than year-long hiatus, Keane got back to work early last year. Apparently, the break didn't slow the bandmates' momentum, as they released their third album, "Perfect Symmetry," in October and landed a Top 10 spot on The Billboard 200.

"With the second record [2006's 'Under The Iron Sea'], we went straight off the road into the studio when we really needed a break and that sowed the seeds for a lot of problems, which have been quite well-documented," drummer Richard Hughes said in Kean's bio. "We learned from that this time."

In addition to showcasing a renewed energy, the new set marks a leap into uncharted territory for Keane. Described as a "big, bold, shiny pop monster," the album includes saxophone and vocals recorded through a drum.

"We've always said we want to challenge ourselves," Hughes explained. "Most bands, when they release an album, always say they've pushed themselves. But we're all music lovers and we sit there and read these things and think, 'Great, can't wait to hear it!' And then you put it on and you think 'Oh. Hang on a minute ...'"

"Perfect Symmetry" also marks Keane's first self-produced effort, though the trio got valuable input from producers Jon Brion (Rufus Wainwright, Kanye West) and Stuart Price (Madonna, Les Rhythmes Digitales).

Lead single "The Lovers are Losing" remains in the Top 20 at Triple A radio after 18 weeks on the chart. That tune and others from the set are streaming at Keane's MySpace page.