The Thorns is a one off (so far) musical collaboration between the powerpop inspired Mathew Sweet and the rock/country leanings of Shawn Mullins and Pete Droge. All three are much undervalued American songsmiths who share a love of classic songwriting and vocal harmonies - think Crosby Stills & Nash, Beatles, Eagles, Simon & Garfunkle and even Crowded House. It's a record full of wonderfully melodic songs, fully realised accoustic arrangements and soaring 3 and 4 part vocal accrobatics. Thankfully the self penned material more than matches the peerless execution.