MISSING LINK MEETS SMART GUITAR WIZARD
Marc Broussard
Momentary Setback
(Ripley Records)
These days, sensitive singer-songwriter types with a white-funk jam-band sensibility are about as common as terrorism scares, but what makes Carencro, Louisiana native Marc Broussard different is his modern R&B edge. There are moments on his debut CD, Momentary Setback, where you might get him confused with some urban-contemporary balladeer: "Blue Jeans" would sound equally at home in the dorm room or the swap meet, the gospel-tinged "French Caf�" has an earnest 3 a.m. feel, and "Just Like That" sounds equally fit for intense soul-searching (if you're alone) and some serious stomach rubbing (if you're not). Broussard's upbeat and soulful muse does pander to the collegiate crowd occasionally on the Hootiesque rock of "Gotta Be More" and the acoustic closer "Jeremiah's Prayer," but otherwise he's busy crossing lines in contemporary pop many never realized existed.
He's got the hooks and the vocal talent to spare, but lyrically, Marc is not always up to speed, which is a real hindrance for someone who straddles such emotionally intense areas of the musical landscape. The groove is so gentle and rubbery, however, you can attach these tales of heartbreak and self-discovery to almost any moment in your life with equal ease. Broussard's biggest surprises are revealed in who he is, not what he says, but his stance alone is interesting enough for now. And he's not even 21 yet. Looking for the missing link between Craig David and Dave Matthews? You've just found it.
Robert Fontenot/February 2003
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