VOCABULARY | Shift (Grizzly Bear cover)

Here’s a Their Bated Breath exclusive for you. Savannah’s Vocabulary (aka Cameron Allen) sent me this beautifully haunting cover of Grizzly Bear’s “Shift” — a song from the band’s “Horn of Plenty” record released in 2004. Vocabulary drops the vocal harmonies, keeps the whistled melody, and adds stronger background ambiance. All of it gives the song a sense of loneliness and isolation that’s different than the original. Allen’s whispery and fragile vocals feel perfect for the track: “Baby, I’ve got silver and I’ve got gold / But when push comes to shove, this is getting old / I wouldn’t have it any other way.” A few of you may be familiar with the original version of the song featured in the film “Blue Valentine”, a story about young love and marital disintegration. Be sure to listen to Vocabulary’s latest lo-fi gem of an album, “Faded Days”, available at bandcamp here. Their Bated Breath named “Faded Days” one of the best records of 2011 so far. Read a review here. Follow Vocabulary on Twitter for the latest updates about his music. – David D. Robbins Jr.

Vocabulary “Shift” (Grizzly Bear cover)