Ahead of the expected release of their first new album in five years, the long-dormant Backstreet Boys [ tickets ] will re-introduce themselves to fans with a March/April club tour that is now scheduled to visit nine cities.

The entire quintet--Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and Nick Carter--is on board for the upcoming album and small-venue trek. Before retreating from the spotlight following a tour behind 2000's eight-million-selling "Black & Blue," Backstreet Boys were touring the North American arena circuit.

"We're all excited again," the group's Kevin Richardson recently told Canadian Press. "We just needed a break to recharge our batteries and step back and absorb it all, and realize what happened to us over the last 10 years."

Richardson added that the group doesn't plan to continue with the synchronized dance moves for which they were known. "We're practicing what they call 'dancing without dancing' right now," he said.

The confirmed itinerary as of press time and the latest ticket on-sale information are shown below.

Though no release date has been announced for the new album, it's expected to reach stores sometime this summer. The first single will hit radio on March 18, according to the group's official website.

A statement on the group's Jive Records site reads, "Though the musical direction has shifted with the times, you can definitely expect to hear a classic BSB album with great vocals and great choruses."

The site adds that Max Martin--who was involved in the writing and production of previous Backstreet Boys hits "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," "As Long as You Love Me" and "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"--worked with the group one of the upcoming album's tracks.