Thorns

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This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
The Thorns: Shawn Mullins (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, dulcimer, vihuela, keyboards, percussion); Matthew Sweet (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, baritone ukelele, vihuela, keyboards, marxophone, percussion); Pete Droge (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, ukelin, keyboards, zildjuans).
Includes limited edition bonus CD.
Additional personnel: Greg Leisz (acoustic, electric guitars, pedal steel, lap steel, & 12-string guitar, electric dulcimer); Brendan O'Brien (acoustic & electric guitars, hurdy gurdy, harmonica, keyboards, bass, percussion); Roy Bittan (piano); Jim Keltner (drums).
Recorded at Southern Tracks Studios, Atlanta, Georgia.
Any time a new "supergroup" is formed, fans of the combo's individual members are both excited and skeptical. In the case of The Thorns, these particular emotions ran especially high when it came to singer/songwriters as talented, critically lauded, and seemingly incongruous as power-pop icon Matthew Sweet, neo-folkie Shawn Mullins and Seattle rocker Pete Droge. Amazingly, the word that comes to mind upon first listen to THE THORNS is "band." Putting aside all prima donna tendencies in the service of finding a cohesive sound, the boys come up with a spectacularly lush, organic, and relaxed stylistic fusion. Recalling other extraordinary groups like Crosby, Stills & Nash and RUMORS-era Fleetwood Mac, the Thorns' delicately strummed acoustic guitars, sparkling yet rootsy production, and gorgeously full three-part harmonies paint a consistently uplifting sonic landscape that's distinctly retro, yet never purely imitative.