Searching for a lo-fi
Violent Femmes? Look no further than
Sleeping in the Aviary, and their 2008 release, the charmingly titled
Expensive Vomit in a Cheap Hotel. Hailing from Madison, WI,
Sleeping in the Aviary certainly possesses the same snotty charm as the aforementioned
Femmes (circa their early era), especially in the vocal stylings of singer/guitarist
Elliott Kozel, which can be heard clearly on the album opening "Write On." Elsewhere, you'll also find a
Pixies-esque ditty ("Gas Mask Blues") and a haunting album closing ditty ("Windshield"). The trio keeps it bare-bones sounding throughout, as
Expensive Vomit in a Cheap Hotel sounds like it could have been recorded in your living room, with just a few mikes strewn around. And that is exactly the charm of
Sleeping in the Aviary.