Album Review: The Shivas

You Know What To Do (K)

By Shannon Gormley

[BEACHY FEEDBACK] There are about six minutes in the middle of the Shivas' new album when the band almost sounds gentle. The dreamy, Pet Sounds-styled instrumental "Beach Heads" leads into the surprisingly sweet "Strokin' Off," and it could fool you into thinking the Portland surf-rockers have mellowed out for album No. 4. But it takes only the 90 seconds of "Manson Girls," with vocalist Jared Wait-Molyneux howling through the lyrics like he's in a race against the similarly fast-paced guitar, to make you realize the band is as wild as ever. Still, those moments when the Shivas slow things down are definitely welcome. On You Know What to Do, the band spreads out sonically more than on previous records. "You Make Me Wanna Die" and "Big Mama Casio" clear the lo-fi haze, while the title track and "Do the Crocodile" pile fuzz atop handclaps, tambourines and quickly picked guitars. Even when the tempos slow, the songs maintain a danceable energy. For the most part, though, what you're getting is more of the infectious, solid surf songs that fans have come to expect.

SEE IT: The Shivas play Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water Ave., with Jollapin Jasper and Moon by You, on Saturday, Nov. 8. 9:30 pm. $7. 21+. 

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