Boston-based alt/acoustic-rock group Guster [ tickets ] launches its new album, "Keep It Together," with a round of live shows, many of which are free.

Due in stores on June 24, "Keep It Together" will get a boost from the band's free, release-day performance at Boston's City Hall Plaza. Other free, outdoor shows include stops in Rochester, N.Y.; Providence, R.I.; Pittsburgh; and Portland, Maine, where the group will perform under rather peculiar circumstances, according to a message posted at the its official website.

"[T]his involves us playing on a roof, while you the people of Maine are on the street, looking up at us," the group said. "It might be awkward, but hey! It's free!"

The group went on to say that it planned the free dates because it didn't hit the region during a pre-release club tour earlier this year.

"In an attempt to get the Northeast to forgive us for pretty much skipping them on this last tour," the message said, "we're playing a bunch of free shows the week our record comes out."

A number of early-July radio-festival appearances follow the free outing.

"Keep It Together" is the follow up to Guster's 1999 set, "Lost and Gone Forever." The new album's tracks are streaming at the group's website.