Russell Crowe has been writing while taking a break from acting

The Australian posted a message on his website saying the band "seems to have dissolved/evolved".

He was disappointed but was now free to write songs about things going on in his own life and performing with a new line-up, he added.

30 Odd Foot of Grunts received a great deal of publicity because of Crowe but their music was critically panned.

Their 2002 album release suffered the ignominious fate of selling just 156 copies in its first week of release in the UK.

But it did not affect Crowe's superstar status, with his movie A Beautiful Mind winning an Oscar just months later.

It is without doubt the most satisfying record I've ever made, and I know when you hear it you will be seduced by its beauty Russell Crowe

Crowe said that the indefinite postponement of the film Eucalyptus, in which he was to have starred opposite Nicole Kidman, had given him time to write lots of material.

He said his forthcoming album touched on varying subjects including "my beautiful wife, past relationships, my son, people I know, family tragedy".

"It is without doubt the most satisfying record I've ever made, and I know when you hear it you will be seduced by its beauty," said Crowe.

Quiet power

He added he was looking for someone to champion his music because his last record deal had not been a success.

Crowe will release a new co-written single, Raewyn, on 19 April through iTunes.

He said: "It is the only song I've ever written that has made both men and women cry, think, and call their parents, usually in that order.

"I have e-mails from Sting and Billy Bragg, two of my songwriting heroes that give testament to the quiet power of the song."