The Magic Numbers are something of a guilty pleasure. Made up of two sets of siblings, all of whom sing, this London outfit dangerously treads the line between indie rock and adult contemporary. Not to say it's another Hootie or Matchbox Twenty, but most soccer moms would approve of the band's simple, organic sound and lighthearted harmonies. Nonetheless, the self-titled debut is perfect for nursing a Sunday-afternoon hangover. Songs such as "Wheels on Fire" recollect Ryan Adam's Whiskeytown days, and "Love Me Like You" and the album's catchy opener, "Mornings Eleven," reach back even further to '60s-era bubblegum pop. Led by Romeo Stodart, who seems to pour his heart out on every track, the quartet has been touted as the UK's next big thing, earning a nomination for this year's Mercury Music Prize. And though the Magic Numbers should be destined to climb charts here in the States, the band's no-frills love songs (and less-than-photogenic appearance) will most likely keep it down to earth.
