Just because your band is getting back together for a summer extravaganza, doesn’t mean you still can’t release a solo album. After all, that is exactly what Graham Coxon will be doing on March 11th when the Blur guitarist will unveil his latest solo creation, The Spinning Top. Described by the 39-year-old British singer/songwriter as “an acoustic journey,” but with “some explosive electric guitar action,” the 15-track effort will mark Coxon’s seventh studio album overall, and first since 2006′s Love Travels at Illegal Speeds.

“I wanted to show how exciting acoustic instruments can be, how dynamic and rich and heart-thumpingly raw they can sound at a time when acoustic music seems either too cute or too soppy.”

Recorded in London with Stephen Street (Blur, Babyshambles) The Spinning Top will also feature its share of guest contributions; Robyn Hitchcock, Jas Singh, Danny Thompson, and Graham Fox are among the names who lent their talents. The album will be proceeded by its first single, Sorrow’s Army, along with a track entitled “In The Morning”, which will be released on limited edition 10-inch etched vinyl on April 18 as part of Record Store Day.

In related Blur news, drummer Dave Rowntree new found legal career apparently won’t affect the band’s upcoming reunion – or in other words, we can still hold out for an All Points West appearance…

Graham Coxon 2009 Tour Dates:
03/18 – Austin, TX @ SXSW (Fader Day Party)
03/19 – Austin, TX @ SXSW (Transgressive Day Party)
03/20 – Austin, TX @ SXSW (Billboard Showcase)
03/21 – Austin, TX @ SXSW (Mojo Magazine Day Party)
03/21 – Austin, TX @ SXSW (Q Magazine Day Party)
03/23 – Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy *
03/24 – Grimsby, UK @ Grimsby Auditorium *
03/25 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy *
03/26 – Newcastle, UK @ O2 Academy *
03/27 – Edinburgh, UK @ HMV Picture Horse *

* = w/ Pete Doherty

Blur 2009 Tour Dates:
06/26 – Manchester, UK @ MEN Arena
06/28 -  Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival
07/02 – London, UK @ Hyde Park
07/03 – London, UK @ Hyde Park
07/10 – Eadestown, IE @ Oxegen
07/12 – Kinross, IE @ T in the Park