Customer Reviews

The Thorns

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Place Matthew Sweet in any vocal harmony situation, and the results are always lovely, even if it's with himself. Here, however, with Pete Droge and Shawn Mullins there's no comparing the vocal harmonies with Crosby, Stills, Nash and (sometimes) Young, because they've alchemized the CSN(Y) sound perfectly on every single song.

All mid-tempo, laid-back, guitar-strumming ear candy with a slight shade of Traveling Wilburys (especially the opening track "Runaway Feeling").

Harmonies on "Such A Shame" recall The Beatles' "Because."

Personally, the surprise gem of the bunch is the cover of The Jayhawks' "Blue," a song that always gave me goosebumps and The Thorns' version continues to do so.

In sum, if you love and collect strumming guitar pop-rock containing three-part male harmonies, you would be remiss to not add this to your collection while it's at an introductory price.

As a postscript, I should say I'm approaching this as a Matthew Sweet fanatic, and would like to point to his other solo works and underappreciated contributions to Lloyd Cole's late 1980's solo albums. No doubt this Thorns CD will lead others to the respective solo works of Pete Droge and Shawn Mullins, which, looking at it all cynically, is kind of the point here.

This is my favorite CD of 2003 so far. This trio of singer/songwriters, Pete Droge, Shawn Mullins, and the brilliant popster, Matthew Sweet, might seem, at first, like an odd grouping, but they harmonize in the vein of CSN, America, and the Beach Boys. This is not to say that the album is a lightweight, throwaway, soft rock cheesefest. Standout songs are "No Blue Sky," "Long, Sweet Summer Night," "I Can't Remember," and "Blue," the cover of a classic Jayhawks tune, but really every song shines. PICK THIS UP!

The Thorns' debut CD is one of those recordings that finds its way into your player, and then (happily) just won't leave. I came to this CD mainly as a fan of Matthew Sweet, but I have always loved Shawn Mullins' voice, and Pete Droge's wit. And, this is a record where the parts add up to a lovely, mellifluous whole. In a perfect world, where rock radio played songs based on merit and on that certain something that great songs have, "Long Sweet Summer Night" would be a touchstone for the dog days of 2003. But, perhaps the song that works best one the record (although there a many candidates) is "I Told You". Rarely has a song mined the depths of heartbreak, unrequited love and longing as well as this achingly beautiful tune. All in all, "The Thorns" may not change your life, but it is a gem, and I can only hope that the band is planning a follow-up.

I have been playing this cd continuously for about a week now. Though it has a few throw away tracks the majority is "pure refreshing and harmonious country/pop". If you want to know what this new "joined together in song" group sounds like - take a pinch of Jayhawks, a teaspoon of Beach Boys and a 1/2 cup of Crosby Stills Nash and Young but make sure you add the "spice" which is all "THORNS". They are great to drive with and for that country barbecue or picnic.You will not be disappointed and want for more.

Although the album is well produced and recorded it has all been done before in the 70's. Nothing original here. I gave it 2 stars for the production not content. Everyone is comparing them to CSN&Y. I think they sound exactly like Seals & Croft. Not even as good for that matter. Matthew Sweet is capable of much more as well as Shawn Mullins. Why bother cloning classic music. If you want to revive it add some freshness to it. This cd will bore and tire people out after a few listens. It's already grating on my nerves. I think I will pull out my Deja Vu album from the cobwebs and give it a listen. This will confirm that if it ain't broke don't fix it !

This will be one of my shorter reviews, though still a bit lengthy in comparison to others listed here. In any case, I found this to be an enjoyable listen, though not groundbreaking. Lush harmonies, appropriate melody arrangements, and above par lyrics make this a four star outing.

The packaging here is first class. I love the booklet material, there are band/single photos, legible lyrics (why put them in there if you can't read them; take note Hall & Oates (most recent album)) and the usual credits. Very pleased.

1. Runaway Feeling: Background harmonies have a Beach Boy feel, but not in a good way. This is a straight-ahead folk rock styled opener that fits perfectly at the beginning of this journey.
2. I Can't Remember: This is the first single, as everyone probably knows, and is the best cut on the cd. Not that the others don't stack up, but this is instantly memorable and very catchy. Universal lyrics that almost anyone alive can relate to, and the blending of these three distinctive voices certainly are a highlight here.
3. Blue: Decent cover that keeps the flow of the album going. Not a personal favorite, but not a bad effort either.
4. Think It Over: This is a great example for the title of my review. Pleasant, a little bland, but very good. This one just kind of blends into the rest of the album, though I seldom skip it.
5. Thorns: Not a personal favorite, but it was necessary to step things up a bit at this point in the album. Otherwise I'm afraid I might have needed a wake up call. It's a little experimental, more rock than the rest of the cd, and a needed breath of fresh air.
6. No Blue Sky: Shawn Mullins turns in his best vocal contribution on this track. I feel like this would make a great follow up single to "I Can't Remember," though I doubt it will make any commercial waves. Everything comes together beautifully... "Sun never looked so pretty goin' down."
7. Now I Know: Truly Sweet. My only complaint is that it's too short... then again, some songs could be saved if they were concluded before the musical inspiration behind them runs out. Perhaps it's perfectly times afterall.
8. Dragonfly: It's okay. My least favorite cut on the cd.
9. Long, Sweet, Summer Night: Fun, catchy, and spirited. Put the windows down, crank it up and fly down the road with careless abandon!
10. I Told You: I love this song! It's infectious, has fantastic lyrics, and is a highlight on the disc. Medium-paced and quickly enjoyable.
11. Such A Shame: I frequently skip this song, though it's admittedly decent. It just doesn't evoke much reaction from me.
12. I Set The World On Fire: See my comments for track #4.
13. Among The Living: This is a very thought-provoking song. I like the lyrics. I like the music. It's a little sad though, and ends the album on a rather down note... but I tend to gravitate toward endings like that, so I'm not complaining. "Among the living you'll find the dying, waiting softly to pass on..."

In summary, if you like any of the members of this (somewhat) "supergroup," you'll probably be pleased with this recording. You can just pop this cd in and drive away. And you can listen to it over and over. It makes great background music, but also is worth paying attention to. If nothing else, it reminds me of what a consistent recording truly is. So many albums can be divided into hits and filler, and overall this one shines throughout. Lastly, my 2-man acoustic/bass band's website is: www.geocities.com/AdamStewartBand. Thanks, and enjoy!

Everyone talks about the harmonies in these songs. True enough, they are a primer for anyone seeking to learn how to sing harmony. However, my favorite part of this disc is the songwriting. Particular favorites are, I Can't Remember and No Blue Sky. Any song that is this new and can make me remember something from years before this recording was ever made has touched something fundamental in the soul of the listener. This music takes me back to a time before these guys were even born. This disc is just what I needed and I am grateful to Matthew, Shawn and Pete for helping me to remember

I am 43 years old, born in 1960 and grew up on the Beatles, The Stones, The Moody Blues and Crosby Stills, Nash (among others). The Beatles and CSN along with the Beach Boys always had the edge on vocal harmony in my opinion. It is very refreshing to an old hippie like me to see a new band like this come along. I saw them on Leno or Letterman one night and ran out to buy their album. Unbeleivable that they can gel like this- 3 main characters in the play. No One out front, just beautiful harmony and solid songs that make you listen 4 times over at a pop! I hope that their synergy lasts...this is new music that so many of today's young people are looking for in 70's bands. Thorns Rock!!!!

okay this is it, do you love "crosby,stills, nash and young"? do love "america"? how about old "fire fall"or "england dan and john ford coley"hey how about "leblanc and carr"? well now that i just dated myself and i'm really not that old, this is a great c.d. and if you want something fresh and not mtv pop crud that you can actually listen to with your kids then please buy it.i'm a big fan of shaun mullins and i bought this record without knowing he was part of "the thorns" untill i got to the record store.great harmonies, great songs. an album that will past the test of time because it already has!!you will not be sorry, thank you "thorns" for bringing back great music without all the belly button, midriff showing, cursing at authorities, pop a cap in your ass kind of crud that dominates todays radio waves and t. v.

One great thing about this CD is that it doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is. It is real music made by people who are real music lovers, fans before performers. Don't get me wrong though; the sound is modern and rootsy at the same time. It is different then most of the other recordings out there. The songs will make you think, they will make you smile and maybe they will make you cry. Everyone will relate to the songs on this album in their own unique way. "I can't remember" and "No blue sky" are the songs I enjoy most. Buy this CD, see them in concert and make everyone you know aware of The Thorns.