The three members of Adam 8*1*2 are still teenagers, and their perspective is a young one � they sing of broken hearts and unconsummated relationships, and good girls whose self-esteem is bruised by bad boys. It�s a wise one, as well: their tales of love and loss are performed with compassion, and their scalding-hot dance-pop songs teach self-reliance and independence. Heady stuff from seventeen-year-olds, for sure. But Castille Landon, Brooklyn, and Ginny Luke aren�t your average pop stars. They�ve been performing � on stage and screen � all their young lives; they�re also serious musicians (Luke, a trained violinist, has already performed at Carnegie Hall) comfortable writing their own material and penning their own lyrics. Their band name is a challenge to conventional wisdom, too � a reminder that, despite the implications of the Genesis narrative, men are just as likely to make mistakes as women are.

Every track on Adam 8*1*2, their multifaceted debut, radiates confidence. Produced by Christian Davis (R. Kelly, Michelle Williams, New Kids On The Block), the album foregrounds the trio�s flexibility: Adam 8*1*2 features straight radio pop, sizzling R&B, melodic rock, shimmering dance tracks, and even a little bit of adventurous world music. The songs showcase Landon�s alluring voice, Luke�s seductive singing and deft playing, and Brooklyn�s energetic rapping. They trade verses, they support each other�s vocals; their characters are complementary, but brilliantly distinct. It�s the same division of labor that distinguished TLC � a group that Adam 8*1*2 frequently resembles � during their heyday.

By the end of the set, you�ll feel like you know these young women personally. Their songwriting is confessional, candid, forthright; all the storytelling here has the ring of truth. �Poison�, the lead single, is inspired by a real-life breakup � Brooklyn�s sister found herself trapped in a bad relationship, and the Adam 8*1*2 singers cautioned her to beware the deceptive nature of her boyfriend. The �Poison� clip tells the story: the man is charming, suave, and seductive, but he�s also got his eyes on every other girl in the room. By the end of the clip, he�s actively flirting with a stranger at a stylish outdoor restaurant by the bay � and an outraged Brooklyn retaliates by tossing the keys to his SUV into the ocean. It�s a statement of independence, a fierce resolution; and one entirely consistent with Adam 8*1*2�s message of self-reliance.

To demonstrate the group�s broad appeal and mastery of several different pop styles, we�ve appended the clip for �Mystery Girl� to the reel. Unlike the rocking �Poison�, this is a slinkier affair, incorporating exotic beats and unusual instrumentation (a sitar!) into its infectious dance groove. The choreography in the clip is similarly offbeat: the members of Adam 8*1*2 incorporate some sexy belly-dancing moves into their enthusiastically-executed dance routine. The story of the clip, however, will be familiar to any young American � alluring girl, showy guy, banging party, the eternal rules of teenage courtship. The alluring Castille Landon spots a guy she likes, and judging by his reaction, we know for sure that the feeling is mutual. But she won�t be giving it away that easily: she demonstrates her attractiveness to him, and then leaves the house with her bandmates, self-assured and triumphant. (Meanwhile, he�s left to cool his jets in the swimming pool!)