The 2019 album “Dark Thoughts” showcased the darker, hard-rocking side of The Shivas. With the follow-up “Feels So Good // Feels So Bad,” the band balanced friendly and moody sounds. Now, their tenth album, “Can’t Stop Coming Around” (Tender Loving Empire), leans entirely on the brighter side.
The Portland-based band navigates relatively steady through turbulent waters, always sticking to Sixties garage rock, albeit with some variation. While “Dark Thoughts” was the party album, the current work is perfect for relaxed evenings on the sofa—or in the bathtub, as “Floating In My Pink Bathtub” aptly describes the album’s sound.
Sweet, warmly enveloping, and very satisfying. The album starts off with the cool, surfy “Cold Blooded,” followed by more swaying Fifties rock. The tender “If You Don’t Love Me Anymore” is very soothing, while the rest is almost too calm.
Only “Nightmare Song” attempts to get wild but is quickly brought back to the feel-good phase with “Ray.” These are okay songs that really need the right mood and are almost too mellow.
The Shivas – Can`t Stop Coming Around: Sleepy Garage Rock. – RIFL
