Head's up, forward-thinking holiday shoppers! The Sue Menhart Band is readying their second full-length album for release on Dec. 1. It's titled "Love Ain't Hard," and an advance listening indicates it's packed with instantly memorable, passionately-played and –performed rock, pop and blues songs. Methinks this will be a popular present.

At some point, there'll be an official release party but, in the meantime, the Sue Menhart Band performs an acoustic show Friday at the Turnpike Café. I'm not promising anything, but songs from "Love Ain't Hard" that might resonate greatly in an unplugged format would include "Moving On," "Can't Feel the Rain" and "Bet You'll Be Back."

Sue Menhart Band, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Turnpike Café, 1052 Norwich New London Turnpike, Uncasville; free; (860) 848-8449.