Fought Down

1. Ain't They Pretty

2. Fought Down

3. I Should Be That Guy

4. The Sun Don't Shine

5. Mama, Take Another Stand

6. Lincoln Town Car

7. Here's To You

8. Worried

9. Glitter On

10. Like A Train

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Ken Layne once made his living as leader of The Outriders, part of the legendary 1980's SoCal roots-rock scene that introduced the likes of the Beat Farmers and Mojo Nixon. After making one album for Austin's Wrestler Records, Layne retired at age 22 and began a life of international intrigue as a journalist and author. In 2003, he returned to music with his solo "Analog Bootlegs" and called the Corvids together in Hollywood to make the band's debut, "Fought Down."

And what did they make? Sources say it's a dazzling 10-song collection that brings to mind the 1971-era Stones in Muscle Shoals, twangy Neil Young, soulful Waylon Jennings, honky-tonk heartbreak and late-night highways, parole boards and whisky, and maybe Warren Zevon waiting for his man in Echo Park ... all anchored by Layne's big old voice and instant-classic songwriting.

Alt-country deejay Jack Sparks (WMGT Minneapolis) says: "There's some grit and reality to this record which I never saw in my 10 or so trips to the Los Angeles area, which leads me to believe there's some kind of secret roots rock society there, where you can eat fatty foods, smoke cigarettes, and actually listen to the band on stage."

North County Times music critic Jim Trageser says: "Layne has retained the ability he showed with The Outriders to write tunes that meld striking lyric imagery and memorable melodies. Songs, in other words, that get stuck in your head .... his return to the music scene ought to be a welcome one."

Product Description:
For those wondering what happened to the rock 'n roll part of "alt country," here's your answer. Ken Layne and the Corvids' debut CD is a boozey mix of crunching, rootsy rock with a few shots of honky-tonk heartbreak. If your idea of the perfect radio station mixed "Let It Bleed" with Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, you'll be pleased with "Fought Down."

Tracks:

Ain't They Pretty
Fought Down
I Should Be That Guy
The Sun Don't Shine
Mama, Take Another Stand
Lincoln Town Car
Here's To You
Worried
Glitter On
Like A Train

Album Description

For those wondering what happened to the rock 'n roll part of "alt country," here's your answer. Ken Layne and the Corvids' debut CD is a boozey mix of crunching, rootsy rock with a few shots of honky-tonk heartbreak. If your idea of the perfect radio station mixed "Let It Bleed" with Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, you'll be pleased with "Fought Down."

Customer Reviews:

Glittery Goodness.......2004-11-18

Just listen to Glitter On a couple times. It's one of those melodies that doesn't sound so much invented as discovered, like a diamond underground, waiting to be unearthed. The rest of the album is nearly that good, even when the song lasts for like nine billion minutes (I Should Be That Guy). And Lincoln Town Car features this astonishing bit of lyric poetry, which manages to be vague, explicit, lurid, and almost innocent, all at the same time: "Your tongue was sweet / You legs were strong / I'm wasted out my head." This is music for people who like songs, singing, guitars, and drums.

Playing at alt-country.......2004-09-05

Sorry but I didn't like this album very much.

Comparing them to real talents like Neil Young, Waylon Jennings, Warren Zevon and the Stones is really laughable but since everyone else seems to do it in their reviews I will say that the band is fronted by someone who goes back and forth TRYING HARD to sound like alternatively Paul Westerberg and Mick Jagger backed by a competent band of hobbyists.

Smokin', whiskey drinkin' songs.......2004-06-22

"Fought Down" and "I Should Be That Guy" are two of the best songs I've ever heard.

Settle back with a glass of Jack Daniel's and enjoy.

great stuff.......2004-03-01

Forget labels. Forget "alt-country", forget categories. Forget the idea that this is a "vanity project", whatever the hell that means.

This CD rocks. Really. Turn the stereo to LOUD and hit the repeat button; this music is that good.

Got it on random play with Stones, Petty, REM and Haggard.......2004-02-24

I don't know where the "country" description comes in, since this is more a combination of late-60s Stonesish country (Exile on Main St., as noted) and some 80s basic rock (like REM's first couple albums). Now, if they had used a Telecaster with less distortion, maybe I'd say "country" ....

Great barroom rock without any pretense. Sounds like it was recorded the old way, with everyone just playing at once. This is a real tight band, though -- no keyboards or effects, just a solid set-up of electric and acoustic guitars, drums, etc. Everyone is dead on, and Layne's vocals are excellent -- Jagger crossed with some honkytonk country singers, and the guitar is something between Keith Richards and probably a bunch of influential bands I'm too naive to know about.

I really like this album, and I already knew of these guys as bloggers and writers (the founders of Prognosis) and members of other bands (Tsar?), but I'm astounded at how a few people can be so talented.

I always pop a beer when I listen to this one, which is pretty often. Ought to be even better live.

Music Album:

Music Album