My Best Unbeaten Brother, helmed by the Parker siblings, Ben and Adam, returns with a powerful statement in their debut mini-album, Pessimistic Pizza (June 28, Audio Antihero). Known for their work in Nosferatu D2 and Tempertwig, the Parkers are no strangers to the indie-emo scene. This latest offering showcases their signature blend of emotional lyrics and raw energy, combined with a refreshing dose of reflection.
The album kicks off with “Time on Our Hands, Spider-Man,” an exploration of fatherhood and the passage of time. Ben’s reflective lyrics and the emotional soundscape create an engaging experience that draws one into the universal search for heroes and role models. The track’s impact lies in its ability to mirror life’s challenges and the cyclical nature of how generations grapple with them.
But that’s how My Best Unbeaten Brother rolls best…mirroring real life in music. It’s what makes Pessimistic Pizza honest and what makes the music real. The band doesn’t hide behind a facade of sugary sweet lyrics nor is it expected of them. Superficiality isn’t their thing. Authenticity, however, is.
Written during the COVID-19 lockdown, “Blues Fatigue” offers a contrasting tone of optimism amidst an overall pessimistic theme. It reflects the yearning for an end to isolation and melancholia as its driving rhythms and hopeful message serve as a beacon for those seeking brighter days.
While “Extraordinary Times” injects a 90s grunge nostalgia into the veins, it also explodes into a vibrant and infectious anthem. Described by Ben as a “post-Brexit cry for something better,” the song captures the disillusionment of modern times while offering a spark of hope. It’s a rallying cry wrapped in rich harmonies and energetic melodies, making it both a critique and a call to action.
The first three tracks of Pessimistic Pizza are rooted in a more a reflective flow while the last four tracks of the album are filled with fast frenetic energy that is snappy and hooky. With its wailing guitar and driving rhythms from Adam on drums and Ben Fry on bass , “A Song About Double Crossing a Friend” is catchy and fun. It and “The Art of Letting Go” are the hidden gems on the album.
On the album, Ben says,
“Seven songs by three men from Croydon. Inspired by getting older, getting sadder, getting angrier with a post-Brexit world where The Smiths have been ruined by the actions of the ex-singer. Learning to let go; learning to be Spider-Man; trying to understand The Fall; trying to understand life and death, and trying to understand records by The Steve Miller Band.”
My Best Unbeaten Brother have served up seven masterful and well-crafted slices of music that are of personal and socio-political reflection and Pessimistic Pizza is testament to their ability to infuse their music with honesty, authenticity, and a damn good time.
