Magic Numbers Bet on Kenny Rogers

British indie pop act Magic Numbers have found some unusual inspiration while recording their sophomore effort.

Shortly before the band settled in at rural New York's famed Allaire studios, frontman Romeo Stodart said he was looking to add to his collection of Kenny Rogers photos for the band's mantelpiece. In fact, the country singer will be the new album's mascot.

"For the last one we had Aaron Neville, a bear and [a set of] weights," Stodart explained. "A producer told us that when Aaron did a vocal take, he'd go in and sing this really high vocal. He'd come out and pick up his weights and start lifting and go [lowering his voice] 'How was that take?,' like trying to be all macho."

This year's tongue-in-cheek inspiration, he said, is Rogers -- specifically, the Gambler's fabulously manicured beard.

The Magic Numbers plan to finish up their self-produced second album this month. Cuts should include 'Boy,' 'You've Never Had It,' 'Take A Chance' and 'This Is a Song.' The last two, Stodart said, are "a little bit harder-edged than the other stuff . . . more in the vein of 'Love Me Like You,' but they've got crazy Magic Numbers bridges."