In an email sent out to The Deceberists’ mailing list, the band revealed that they’ve actually been hard at work in the studio. From the email:

This one’s going to be really good, though. Undoubtedly the best thing we’ve done to date. And while that might smack of hyperbole (“didn’t they say that about the last record?” you well may be thinking. . .) we can guarantee that it, at the very least, will be decidedly above average. And what’s more, it’s going to be called The Crane Wife. Quite a title, yes? There is a happy glut of songs to choose from — some 22 in all at last count — before it’s wittled down to album-length, with a few of them clocking in at the >10 minute mark (always makes the label people happy).

The Crane Wife will be The Decemberists’ major label debut and is set to hit stores October 3rd. Tour to follow.