Built from the wreckage of the late, great Shrimp Boat, arty popsters the Sea and Cake are the frothy confection their name implies, with the laid-back, carefree vibe of a day at the beach. Their light, jazz-inflected sound recalls the Coctails, but with the solid musical underpinnings of Tortoise; in fact, both of those Chicago institutions are represented in the Sea and Cake's lineup. After an extended mid-aughts hiatus, they're back on the road supporting their eighth studio album, Car Alarm, inspired in part by singer/guitarist Sam Prekop's infant son. Tonight's show is the first in a two-night, New Year's Eve run at Schubas.