The Orange Peels

Need a break from the oppressive heat and humidity that is St. Louis in the summertime? One could do worse than checking out the Orange Peels, who have practically made a career out of songs about rainfall, changes in the weather and, on their new album, Circling the Sun, the prospect of a "Long Cold Summer." Led by underground pop legend Allen Clapp and augmented by former members of the Ocean Blue and the Go-Betweens, this West Coast combo has recorded three albums' worth of winsome and carefully crafted pop melodies. Clapp refers to his music as a new "California sound" -- and indeed, there are echoes of the Beach Boys at their most reflective and autumnal (think Friends or Surf's Up), as well as faint echoes of the Byrds and Love. Sun sports a mini-Wall of Sound production that almost overloads the material at times, but an engaging live show strips away the studio sheen. Don't miss this rare St. Louis appearance.

Call 314-664-7638 for showtime and ticket prices.