The Sea & Cake/Fits of Hail

After a six-year break from the studio, The Sea and Cake dropped Any Day earlier this year. It's a surprisingly pitch-perfect return to form and an excellent reason to check out an underrated band for a rare show in Cleveland. Comprising mid-'90s post-rock talents Sam Prekop, Archer Prewitt and John McEntire, the Sea and Cake deliver an insouciant blend of jazz and power pop. It's laid-back in the most honest sense of the term, and it's perfect for a mid-November show. The leaves are falling, the mood is often strange and unsettling in America; music like the new album's title track or the head-bobbin' “Occurs” is one of the few remaining balms, and Prekop's airy vocals are a perfect vehicle for the groovy calmness you're seeking. Pair that with master drummer McEntire on the skins, and you're in for a real treat with this one, Cleveland. (Eric Sandy)