Negative Scanner - Nose Picker

Chicago punk band Negative Scanner return with their second long-player, the cheekily titled Nose Picker. Once again recorded by the band themselves in their Chicago practice space, Nose Picker opens with a question; “Is there anybody there?”, which acts as both a legitimate query as well as a rallying cry. Negative Scanner makes it clear that they want your attention, as the opening tune “T.V.”s stutter step guitar riff leans into a lean and mean 4-on-the-floor churn. The rest of the album follows suit, either with raging punk snarl (”History Lesson”, “First Blood”, “Let it Die”), or angular, emotive jagged guitar riffage (”A Cross”, “10 Million Kids”, “The Only One”), punctuated by vocalist/guitarist Rebecca Valeriano-Flores’ voice, teetering between a full-throated roar and a plaintive monotone. Her lyrics are insular, spitting accusatory and inquisitory barbs inward, talking to anyone who listens. Is there anybody there? Despite the darkness on the surface, Nose Picker has an unmi