What's with all the good local music lately? Take Sara Radle (guitar/vocals), Andrew Binovi (bass/vocals), and Rob Shumacher (drums), collectively known as Lucy Loves Schroeder. Since moving to Dallas several years back, the band has delivered memorable, must-see shows. Radle is both a pouty brat and sweet girl in love with music for all the right reasons. Energetic musicianship from all involved make LLS the little band that could, and should.

Their music leans toward power-pop punk, sweet but never saccharine or brainless. "Dragon Lady" and "Big Drag" grab from the get-go. The best track, "Fairweather Friend," echoes Kim Shattuck and the Muffs. "Better than You" delivers a big valentine to Liz Phair.

Occasionally, Sara's under-recorded vocals are hard to decipher. Some songs don't properly end so much as they just sorta stop. Still, even though LLS hasn't delivered a perfect pop masterpiece yet, Lucy is a Band strongly indicates they soon will.