Album Notes

SINGER/SONGWRITER CJ SORG

An introduction to idiocy

"There's a pretty-wide spectrum of subject matter with this album." says CJ, "Not a single theme is repeated." Indeed, CJ Sorg's sophomore CD, You Don't Know Me, contains a myriad of songs about vanity, being bullied, losing a mother, hating your boss, and even a song that approaches the subject of sexual preference.

As a whole, the album reflects faint influences such as the Barenaked Ladies, Elvis Costello, and newer singer/songwriters like John Mayer and Jason Mraz. "Most of the songs were written on acoustic guitar, but there a couple of piano-based songs on there as well. "I actually started out as a piano player, but I migrated to the acoustic guitar as my main weapon of choice." That acoustic-based influence is heard throughout the fully-produced album.

Shortly after the release of CJ's debut album, Circle In Square, he moved from Hollywood to Nashville. "My mother was dying of cancer, my wife and I were sick of LA, and we wanted to get back to the Midwest - where both of us are originally from." Thus began a gut-wrenching process of starting over. "Five days before we were leaving LA my mother died. It was a race across the country, with a fully-loaded moving truck, just to make it to her funeral on time." That was followed by months of unemployment, doubt, and an almost overwhelming depression. "Songwriting, for me, has always been a form of cheap therapy." Overall, You Don't Know Me, is a solid collection of songs with real depth.


A DISSECTION OF SONGS

"My wife and I actually co-wrote the first track, 'Celebrity'. That was odd. 'Dick Tracy Mask' is me getting in the last word to the bullies I faced growing-up. 'Change Your Mind' focuses on the strength of a relationship. 'Dear Old Friend' started out as an e-mail to an old buddy that I never sent. About a month after my mother died I wrote 'Alone'. 'Beautiful Girl & An Idiot' was a song I wrote years ago when my wife and I first started dating. 'From You Bob' is a classic hate-my-boss tune, with a latin beat! 'It's Ok 2B Different' is easily the most misunderstood song on the album. It actually makes fun of people who make fun of gay people. Got that straight? 'Sylvan Sound' is my ode to buddies I left behind in California. 'Waste In Time' was co-written with Matthew Lerner and is about being trapped in life. I'm still not exactly sure what 'I Believe' is about."

Surprisingly open and honest, with a keen sense of humor, YOU DON'T KNOW ME uniquely details the facets of common life in such a way that afterwards, you feel as if you DO know him.