In describing Single Mothers, the U.K. paper The Guardian said to “imagine The Hold Steady as a hardcore punk band”—and it is hard to hear Single Mothers’ singer Drew Thomson rambling through “Half-Lit” and “Feel Shame” without thinking of The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn. However, unlike Thomson, Finn would never proclaim “If this is living the dream, just kill me.” These London, Ontario–based punks take the usual punk schematic of loud, daring tempos and in 23 minutes deliver 10 songs that take nihilism to such extremes it’s hilarious. If you thought Black Flag went soft after Damaged, Negative Qualities will right the course.