Add to that list this fine local pop-rock release, which is jam-packed with great melodies and offers a fresh sound from one of the city's most promising young groups. Singer- guitarists Craig Feazel and Paul Beebe, bassist-keyboardist Cullen "Monkey" Evans and drummer Chris Laurents have crafted a low-key treasure that pulls off the neat trick of maintaining a snappy integrity while sounding commercial enough for radio play.

Things get off to a lolling good start with "8th Street," in which the narrator accurately encapsulates both the hope and dread of the "getting to know you" phase of a relationship when all things seem fresh. The buoyant "Waterfall (Pawn Shop)" carries forth this mini-theme as a couple -- perhaps the same one from "8th Street" -- window-shops for a ring. Feazel wrote both numbers and delivers them energetically but with a light touch, whereas on "City" his funky blues-rock guitar riff is more heavy-handed. (Do we detect a nod to Thin Lizzy/KISS in the twin guitar chorus?) "Annie," his album- closing sweet ballad of reaffirmation, swirls in acoustic guitars, cymbals and keyboards without succumbing to saccharine sentiments.

Most of Beebe's songs have a similar depth and texture. "Reddish Skies," the most radio-friendly tune, owns the record's catchiest melody. "One More Day" and "All in All" likewise register long after the disc stops spinning, but the ambitious, jazz-tinged "Illusions" and the funkalicious "Going Away" don't measure up to the rest of the material. Each was a decent idea, but neither is adequately developed.

Overall, Lottery Bar delivers on its promise of a prize. It's a fresh and exciting collection of songs played by musicians who know that their instruments should serve the songs rather than overwhelm them.