Courteeners for Elbow-inspired new LP?

The Courteeners have spoken about how the recording of their second album is progressing, suggesting that Elbow have been a big influence on their new songs.

Frontman of the 'Not Nineteen Forever' rockers Liam Fray told NME that the Manchester band recently embarked on a seven-week recording session in Belgium to record the follow-up to their 2008 debut St Jude.

The singer said that the record was inspired in part by fellow northerners Elbow, and would feature strings and piano.

Fray explained that the group had "26 or 27" songs that were being considered for the final tracklisting, including 'It'll Take More Than A Weekend Away To Fix This Mess', 'Sycophant', 'Take Over The World', 'Sunflower' and 'The Good Times Are Calling'.

He said: "'It'll Take More…' sounds like a Guy Garvey (Elbow frontman) song, if I'm allowed to be so egotistical. 'Sunflower' really sounds like The Coral, one of the more popular ones, like 'Jacqueline'."

The band, who previously declared that their new album would have a markedly different sound, are currently recording with producer Ed Buller. The LP, as-yet untitled, is due to be released in early 2010.