This is from an interview at the Q awards.

Q: "What's the best thing about 2001?"

EC: "That we're still alive. It's a bit grim at the moment, isn't it? To be selfish about it, on a personal level I've made a record that I really enjoyed making. The song I played earlier, When I Was Cruel, will be on the record, and I only finished it three nights ago."

...blah blah blah...

Q: "What's next:?"

EC: "The record I've done should be out by the end of March or early April."