ALBUM REVIEW: Brian K & The Parkway – ‘Killing The Bear’

When Brian K & The Parkway formed back in 2021, their initial mission was to create a band that represented their New Jersey homeland. With The George Washington Memorial Parkway the main route between all of the member’s home, and frontman Brian K. Pagels hailing from Bruce Springsteen’s hometown Freehold, it was always going to become the focus around their aesthetic. And after some positive praise for their recent singles ‘Straight Through’ and ‘Wind The Clock’ in recent months, they are now looking to cement their vibrant legacy to date with their shimmering debut album ‘Killing The Bear’, a record that sees them pay homage to their inspirational heroes.

While Springsteen is the most clear influence behind their direction, Brian K & The Parkway seem to have a strong admiration for a number of 70s rock icons as well. With Tom Petty and Warren Zevon also honing the band’s euphoric identity, ‘Killing The Bear’ makes for a wonderfully rich and absorbing listen. Taking their flair for a nostalgic appeal and reinventing it for a modern ear, their first full-length packs itself full of bright and uplifting offerings, permeated firmly by Pagels’ dynamic vocal performance from start to finish.

While these new songs were many years in the making, it is clear that Brian K & The Parkway already have a firm and solid grasp over their sound already. With absolutely no filler across this nine-track collection, ‘Killing The Bear’ introduces them to the new music scene with style and finesse throughout.