Canine Guru

Agodoga
by Steve Tremain

Nominated for a Boston Music Award, Canine Guru fill all the requirements by being an over-talented grunge/funk/rock band. Fil Pacino has a rough, ‘FNX purebred voice, while the rest of the band Pearl Jams behind him to a Chili beat. Their songs take on the aspect of epics, with chord progressions reaching deep into the pockets of emotion. Obviously a diplomatic band, on Agodoga (it’s a palindrome. Clever, huh?) everyone gets a chance to grandstand. From Fil’s gruff lyrics and MTV guitar licks to Jason Redi’s hyperkinetic Flea-goes-to-Berklee bass to Mark Manczuk’s funk/metal rhythms, they all have an opportunity to show how talented they are. And let’s admit it, they are talented. While the illustrious illustrator Eric Johnson contributes some excellent artwork (shameless bias on my part), the best aspect of Canine Guru is their use of a second percussionist on certain tracks, which thickens the alterna-stew and adds a new sound that isn’t really expected. If you get a lot of beers inside you and see them live, you’ll find yourself at a pretty good show. While not offering anything exceptionally new, Agodoga does a fine job with what’s already there.