Amazing
author: The Ska Punk
This album came to me just today in the mail. I've been listening to it near non-stop since. Brian Kahanek's music is just... it's like some of the older ones, yet his own brand.
He's destined to be one of the Greats.
In Love
author: HG
Gemini was the track that caught my attention for Brian and his band. After picking up this latest album I'm simply falling in love with their music. This blend of catchy rock, rooted heavily in the blues, should simply not be missed.
The next-generation of Blues rock legends...
author: Syriak
What an amazing album... The production is first class and with a hint of grit in there to remind ya that the blues exist in a very real way. Brian's guitar playing is a unique blend of Hendrix meets Bloomfield with a amazing songwriting sensibility included. The tunes are focused, but develop at their own pace like a great blues/rock album should. The music is non-pretentious as well leaving you feeling like you would not only listen to this again and again, but that you would want to have a beer with the guy as well. For my money, all of the over-hyped Mayer's and Bonamossa's can't hold a pentatonic scale to the relaxed but thoroughly rocking pace of "Suicide King'. Highly recommended... 5 out of 5 stars.
Ummm WOW!
author: Aubrey
This CD is incredible. And I found out by finally reading the credits that Brian and his band self produced this.
I can't even imagine what's next. Do yourself a favor and take the plunge cause it's as good as it gets.
author: Big Blue Box
Suicide King Review
Brian Kahanek’s dramatic new independent release, Suicide King, on Sidewinder Records, is a bold confessional that chronicles a painful process of internal struggle, self-destruction, and ultimate resolution. Although the themes appear autobiographical and sharply befitting of a young artist transplanted from the American heartland into the angst-inducing, grey jungle of Los Angeles, the ‘70s rock sounds and the universal nature of Suicide King will resonate with many who have just tried to live an honest life in corrupt surroundings.
Known for his powerful command of rock guitar tones, idioms and no-bullshit playing, Brian delivers a very cohesive and polished album that showcases all the gutsy guitar we’ve come to expect. However, here the guitar work serves a higher master. It reinforces beautiful, and often stunning, songwriting and singing. The songs that comprise Suicide King are dramatic, varied and rocking. Tragic undercurrents circulate beneath nearly every track, yet some take you closer to danger than others. The anthem rock opening track, “Falling,” signals the downward path of anguish. The painful ballad at the center of the album poignantly entitled, “Deeper,” laments a soul desertion under a wave of lush and swirling univibe and tremolo textures. Only at the album’s conclusion do we find a thematic resolution in a power ballad bookend, “Let it Go.”
Make no mistake about it; Brian’s guitar playing throughout Suicide King is exceptional. He coaxes a classic array of vintage ‘70s tones from the Les Paul and Marshall tradition and gutsy timbres of the VHT Deliverance that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up—guitarist or not. These smoky, medium-gain tones can only be found when a scuffed up vintage amp with coffee rings and bar bruises has been working overtime—dimed. This is where Brian lives. Oh, and a suitcase full of dirty pedals tangled all over the floor…
Suicide King meets the artistic challenges of both unifying a body of work in a conceptual framework while providing clear, deeply memorable statements along the way. If you think you might claw your eyes out upon hearing another one-and-a-half-song so-called-album, then look here. If you crave honesty in songwriting, and aren’t afraid to listen to an entire album again, Suicide King is for you. If you would like to escape back to the American heartland in the late ‘70s and turn on some mystical radio, this is what you may find.
Suicide King Rocks!!! This will be your all time favorite CD
author: Jomo
Can you believe this! Another excellent release from BK and the boys. Suicide King is like a great book you just can't put down. Every track just speaks volumes of emotions I can relate to. Damm, it's just that good! With, deeper, you can really feel BK's power that he puts into it. I can wait for the next CD!
author: Lady of the lake
A must have! Borrowed it from my boyfriend and I love it. We both feel Brian is the best kept secret that is about to be sprung on the world.
This is a desert island CD!
author: The muser
This CD is awesome. If I had to choose 10 CD's to take to a desert island this would be one of them - oh yeah and Real life too. ! Fav tracks are Falling, Goodbye, Deeper(WOW!!!) Light my way and Let it Go. I have listened 10 times atleast and I hear new things each time. BK is one of my favorite artists!
Humbling Amazing Music
author: Chris Richmond
I love Brian's debut Real Life - and now I hear this and am speechless... This record is a tour-de-force from a timeless artist. Brian and crew set the tone early with "Falling" where he takes a solo that leaves you slack jawed and then proceed to take you through what must have been a very though time in his life... This guy is as transparent as it gets... take a chance and this CD will blow your mind.
This has to be Brian's "Electric ladyland".....
author: Lincoln street music
Great songs, great vocals, great guitar work..what more can you ask for..Oh Yah..Great production.
I know how long this Cd took from start to finish, and how much hard work went into it..but the outcome was worth the toll...Fantastic Cd..I can't keep it out of my Cd player.
Everyone at the music store gives it a big thumbs up...5 stars or more...Brian is without a doubt..a "GUITAR HERO".
Stunning!!!
author: JC
This record blew my mind... after hearing Gemini from Guitar Hero 2 I bought Real Life (which is awesome) - and that was three weeks ago. I come to find out that he puts out another CD ---I figure I have got to check it out. Suicide King will be a classic someday I just know it. It takes you on an emotional ride that leaves you breathless when its over. Real Life was just the tip of the iceberg with this guy - Suicide King proves he can go toe to toe with any singer and songwriter while schooling even the best guitarists... BK is what the music world has been waiting for - he has it all. Simply awesome!!!!
author: The Ska Punk
This album came to me just today in the mail. I've been listening to it near non-stop since. Brian Kahanek's music is just... it's like some of the older ones, yet his own brand.
He's destined to be one of the Greats.
In Love
author: HG
Gemini was the track that caught my attention for Brian and his band. After picking up this latest album I'm simply falling in love with their music. This blend of catchy rock, rooted heavily in the blues, should simply not be missed.
The next-generation of Blues rock legends...
author: Syriak
What an amazing album... The production is first class and with a hint of grit in there to remind ya that the blues exist in a very real way. Brian's guitar playing is a unique blend of Hendrix meets Bloomfield with a amazing songwriting sensibility included. The tunes are focused, but develop at their own pace like a great blues/rock album should. The music is non-pretentious as well leaving you feeling like you would not only listen to this again and again, but that you would want to have a beer with the guy as well. For my money, all of the over-hyped Mayer's and Bonamossa's can't hold a pentatonic scale to the relaxed but thoroughly rocking pace of "Suicide King'. Highly recommended... 5 out of 5 stars.
Ummm WOW!
author: Aubrey
This CD is incredible. And I found out by finally reading the credits that Brian and his band self produced this.
I can't even imagine what's next. Do yourself a favor and take the plunge cause it's as good as it gets.
author: Big Blue Box
Suicide King Review
Brian Kahanek’s dramatic new independent release, Suicide King, on Sidewinder Records, is a bold confessional that chronicles a painful process of internal struggle, self-destruction, and ultimate resolution. Although the themes appear autobiographical and sharply befitting of a young artist transplanted from the American heartland into the angst-inducing, grey jungle of Los Angeles, the ‘70s rock sounds and the universal nature of Suicide King will resonate with many who have just tried to live an honest life in corrupt surroundings.
Known for his powerful command of rock guitar tones, idioms and no-bullshit playing, Brian delivers a very cohesive and polished album that showcases all the gutsy guitar we’ve come to expect. However, here the guitar work serves a higher master. It reinforces beautiful, and often stunning, songwriting and singing. The songs that comprise Suicide King are dramatic, varied and rocking. Tragic undercurrents circulate beneath nearly every track, yet some take you closer to danger than others. The anthem rock opening track, “Falling,” signals the downward path of anguish. The painful ballad at the center of the album poignantly entitled, “Deeper,” laments a soul desertion under a wave of lush and swirling univibe and tremolo textures. Only at the album’s conclusion do we find a thematic resolution in a power ballad bookend, “Let it Go.”
Make no mistake about it; Brian’s guitar playing throughout Suicide King is exceptional. He coaxes a classic array of vintage ‘70s tones from the Les Paul and Marshall tradition and gutsy timbres of the VHT Deliverance that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up—guitarist or not. These smoky, medium-gain tones can only be found when a scuffed up vintage amp with coffee rings and bar bruises has been working overtime—dimed. This is where Brian lives. Oh, and a suitcase full of dirty pedals tangled all over the floor…
Suicide King meets the artistic challenges of both unifying a body of work in a conceptual framework while providing clear, deeply memorable statements along the way. If you think you might claw your eyes out upon hearing another one-and-a-half-song so-called-album, then look here. If you crave honesty in songwriting, and aren’t afraid to listen to an entire album again, Suicide King is for you. If you would like to escape back to the American heartland in the late ‘70s and turn on some mystical radio, this is what you may find.
Suicide King Rocks!!! This will be your all time favorite CD
author: Jomo
Can you believe this! Another excellent release from BK and the boys. Suicide King is like a great book you just can't put down. Every track just speaks volumes of emotions I can relate to. Damm, it's just that good! With, deeper, you can really feel BK's power that he puts into it. I can wait for the next CD!
author: Lady of the lake
A must have! Borrowed it from my boyfriend and I love it. We both feel Brian is the best kept secret that is about to be sprung on the world.
This is a desert island CD!
author: The muser
This CD is awesome. If I had to choose 10 CD's to take to a desert island this would be one of them - oh yeah and Real life too. ! Fav tracks are Falling, Goodbye, Deeper(WOW!!!) Light my way and Let it Go. I have listened 10 times atleast and I hear new things each time. BK is one of my favorite artists!
Humbling Amazing Music
author: Chris Richmond
I love Brian's debut Real Life - and now I hear this and am speechless... This record is a tour-de-force from a timeless artist. Brian and crew set the tone early with "Falling" where he takes a solo that leaves you slack jawed and then proceed to take you through what must have been a very though time in his life... This guy is as transparent as it gets... take a chance and this CD will blow your mind.
This has to be Brian's "Electric ladyland".....
author: Lincoln street music
Great songs, great vocals, great guitar work..what more can you ask for..Oh Yah..Great production.
I know how long this Cd took from start to finish, and how much hard work went into it..but the outcome was worth the toll...Fantastic Cd..I can't keep it out of my Cd player.
Everyone at the music store gives it a big thumbs up...5 stars or more...Brian is without a doubt..a "GUITAR HERO".
Stunning!!!
author: JC
This record blew my mind... after hearing Gemini from Guitar Hero 2 I bought Real Life (which is awesome) - and that was three weeks ago. I come to find out that he puts out another CD ---I figure I have got to check it out. Suicide King will be a classic someday I just know it. It takes you on an emotional ride that leaves you breathless when its over. Real Life was just the tip of the iceberg with this guy - Suicide King proves he can go toe to toe with any singer and songwriter while schooling even the best guitarists... BK is what the music world has been waiting for - he has it all. Simply awesome!!!!