'N Sync Plans Odyssey, Album

February 26 -- Whether tireless performers or just rushing to strike while the teen pop iron is still hot, the boys of 'N Sync have announced a major North American tour and an accompanying new album.

'N Sync's No Strings Attached, which broke sales records after its March release, still stands strong at No. 38 on the Billboard Top 200, and the dust is still settling from the quintet's summer and fall tour, which concluded in late November.

'N Sync's latest tour, dubbed Pop Odyssey, will kick off May 12 in Miami's Pro Player Stadium and will hit 35 cities before wrapping Aug. 18 in Memphis, Tenn.

Along the way, the band will release its follow-up to No Strings Attached. The new album, which does not yet have a title, is expected from Jive Records in June.

Tickets for half of the shows are already on sale, and the remaining dates will go on sale in the coming weeks, with information posted on the band's Web site, nsync.com.

Observers have pointed to the Backstreet Boys' (relatively) quick exit from the Top 10 and reduced radio play for teen pop acts as signs that the genre is waning. Others, however, note that this may only indicate that the Backstreet Boys' Black & Blue was not filled with radio-friendly material.

The new album from 'N Sync, as well as the record Britney Spears is making in Sweden with Max Martin, may just be the test.

'N Sync tour dates:

May 12 — Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Fla.May 15 — Tropicana Field, Tampa, Fla.May 18 — Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.May 20 — Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, Miss.May 22 — TBA, Charlotte, N.C.May 24 — Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.May 26, 28 — Hershey Park Stadium, Hershey, Pa.May 31 — Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.

JuneJune 1 — Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.June 3-4 — Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.June 6 — Cynergy Field, Cincinnati, OhioJune 10 — Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo, N.Y.June 12 — Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pa.June 16 — Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.June 19 — Sky Dome, Toronto, OntarioJune 22 — Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OhioJune 24 — Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minn.June 26 — Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.June 29 — Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich.