Dallas Morning News Review of Mount Pelee
CD review: Former Sorta frontman releases his solo debut "..Mount Pelée.."
05:27 PM CDT on Monday, July 27, 2009
By MARIO TARRADELL / Music Critic
mtarradell@dallasnews.com
Album: ..Mount Pelée..
Grade: B+
Label: Idol Records
For those local-music fans still mourning the demise of Sorta, not to mention the death of Carter Albrecht, Trey Johnson's solo debut should at least ease the pain. The Dallas-based Johnson, former Sorta frontman, looked inward to craft 11 original songs brimming with uncluttered beauty.
Johnson's muse swims squarely in the musical river that connects country, folk, roots rock and ....Americana..... And yet there's something very downtown about his tunes. He writes, sings and plays with the spirit of a man who's seen plenty of the big city and the rural countryside. In other words, he's experienced the purity and cruelty of life.
So ..Mount Pelée.. has a world-weary feel, particularly on forlorn cuts such as "Bottle of Rum" and "Uneven Life." But he's not ready to throw in the towel. This husband and father offers the lovely ballad "Lucky When Someone Loves You," devoid of any sugary affectations. He can also brood on the roots rocker "Flatter Yourself" and go completely pop on the buoyant "Bragging Type."
Mount Pelée features ....Dallas.... instrumental band Shibboleth as backing musicians. Don Cento and Stuart Sikes produced the disc with clarity conducive to creating a mood. The CD is somber, jubilant, stark and rich. It becomes more compelling with each listen.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-musically_0728gd.State.Edition1.2885860.html
After a decade of fronting the Dallas Based band Sorta, Trey Johnson releases Mount Pelèe, a mix of piano ballads, love songs, and pop tunes. Arranged and produced by Don Cento and Stuart Sikes, Mount Pelèe is clever, and at times despairing. Outstanding tracks include: Unfavorable Way, a 12/8 romp with a delightful horn arrangement; Bragging Type, a pop song with a nod to the Beatles; A Struggle to Find, a lilting waltz, and The Radio, a piano and vocal lament that holds it's cards close to the vest.
Johnson's work in SORTA included the release of four full-length recordings (Summer Break, FTG), multiple awards, and television/film placements including MTV and the ABC drama The Unit.
In the year following the tragic death of Sorta bandmate Carter Albrecht, and the release of the bands final eponymous album, Johnson began composing these songs primarily on the piano. Songs played to his children took shape and a new direction was discovered. Mount Pelèe is a memorable collection of songs that signals limitless possibilities.
As Johnson prepares to perform this group of songs he's in good company: Don Cento and his Band of Merry Men, Shibboleth. Rich Martin, keys; James Driscoll, bass; Matt Kellum, Drum set.
Ohhh this is the movie that inspired the billy idol song les yeux sans visage...eyes without a face. Plastic surgeon tries to restore his daughters pre car accident beauty by killing young women and stealing their faces which his grafts onto his daughters ravaged countenance
Yes yes YESSSS it is Vladimir Lenin. DEAD. in a hot dog bun balancing on a tidal wave of poo on a cupcake. THE WHOLE THING IS EDIBLE. Are the cupcake gods dancing or what. BRILLIANT.
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*Droughted California Coast* 'Prevent Wild Fires-Follow Burn Bans!'
Great review Trey!!!!! I can't wait for the c.d. release and to listen to your beautiful songs through real speakers instead of these cruddy laptop ones. Your amazing!
M A M Y K Ô 
