Reviews

Marc Broussard: Time is a Thief Review

Time is a Thief  is Marc Brousard’s first studio release of original music since 2017 when he released Easy To Love. During the interim, he wasn’t idle but recorded and released the 3rd and 4th album in his S.O.S. (Save Our Soul) series to raise funds for a homeless women’s and children’s shelter. Time is a Thief has ten brand new original songs, seven of which were written by Brousard along with Alphonse Ardoin, Travis Meadows, Joe Stark and producer Eric Krasno. Krasno provided three of his solo compositions on the album as well as contributing his multi-instrumentalist talent to every cut. The album is composed of gritty roots rock with Broussard’s infectious vocals driving the groove. The stellar lineup of musicians that perform on the album helped Broussard create a new masterwork that transcends his previous body of work like the crown jewel does the ascent stones.

The first three cuts on the album were co-written by Broussard and Krasno. “Fire” is the opener that includes Grammy Award winner Eric Krasno on guitar and bass, Otis McDonald: drums, percussion, piano, clavinet, and Hammond B3, Daniel Casare: horn arrangement and saxophones and Mike Olmos: trumpet. “Fire” is about the burning passion of love that Broussard delivers in his funky soulful style to a call and response gospel feel. “Mood” uses the same musicians minus the horn section to produce a rock hard and steady beat. Broussard’s dynamic vocals explore the emotional range of his soulfully smooth voice as it once again leads a swampy call and response.

“Hoping it’s just a mood

I don’t need your attitude”

“Cold Blooded” opens to Krasno’s shimmering guitar segueing into Broussard’s passionate vocals singing about providing the necessities of life and being met by love denied. Bass guitar thumps move the song along with Krasno’s multi instrumental contribution while the chorus chiming in the background to Broussard’s husky timbre leading the song. “You Deserve More” is a slow easy number that was penned by Brousard, Alphonse Ardoin and Travis Meadows. Brousard’s gorgeously melodically soulful vocals nonchalantly deliver a heartfelt love song to the accompaniment of Krasno and co-producer Jeremy Most on guitar, keyboards, percussion and background vocals. Co-authored by Broussard and Krasno “Hard Times” gives Krasno an opportunity to demonstrate his prowess on nearly a dozen instruments as a one man backup band that concludes with an incendiary guitar solo. The song’s melodic driving beat is propelled vocally by Broussard’s sensual voice with Jeremy Most providing background vocals.

“Been on this grind so long I can’t remember

Why I got in this game”

“Give You the World” is the second song by Broussard, Ardoin and Meadows. It’s backed instrumentally by Krasno and Most providing the rhythm and melody while Broussard croons to their smooth performance with a soaring vocal delivery. “Time is a Thief” was co-written by Broussard and Joe Stark as the album’s title song. It opens with Krasno’s ringing rhythm guitar ascending into a calypso with Most on keyboards and drums embellished by Lorenzo Molina’s trumpet. Once more Broussard’s joyous vocals energize with grit on the subject of mortality.

“Yeah, in this life there’s no guarantees

Time’s gonna teach you”

The album’s last three cuts were written by Eric Krasno, who along with Most comprise the core band by playing a dozen instruments. “Carry My Name” is a heart tugging melody that Broussard’s soaring vocals squeeze every drop of emotion out of the same way that Krasno does with his axe. “Way You Shine” opens to an ethereal guitar sound following the driving beat of the hypnotic rhythm section comprised of Krasno on bass guitar and drum programming by Most. Broussard’s Chameleon like vocals take the romping beat on a vocal excursion explaining why further embellishment on perfected beauty is degrading.

“Don’t need no makeup

Why would you paint on a masterpiece”

“Stay Still” is the album’s final cut that opens with Most’s steady drumbeat joined by Krasno’s rhythmic bass guitar. It’s the third love song by Krasno and is performed with an old school gospel/soul feel describing love’s impact on personal goals using Broussard’s ethereally passionate vocals to deliver the message.

“They say love, can be so uncomfortable

Oh, when I’m with you, I just want to stay still”

Time is a Thief is the culmination of Marc Broussard’s musical journey over the past twenty-two years since the release of his first album Momentary Setback. The album is a combination of Broussard’s multi faceted signature vocal style, expert supporting musicianship and excellent collaborations on songwriting. The album explores themes of love, the struggles of life and times fleeting nature as a testament to his evolution as an artist.

The Review 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Mood
– Hard Times
– Time is a Thief
– Carry My Name
– Stay Still

The Big Hit

– Stay Still

Bob Gersztyn

As a teenager in Detroit, Michigan during the early 1960’s Bob Gersztyn saw many Motown and other R&B artists including Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. After his discharge from the army in 1968 he attended school on the GI Bill and spent the next 3 years attending concerts and festivals weekly. It was the seminal period in Detroit rock & roll that Bob witnessed spawning the MC5 and Stooges along with shows featuring everyone from Jimi Hendrix and the “Doors” to B. B. King and John Lee Hooker. In 1971 He moved to Los Angeles, California to finish his schooling where he became an inner city pastor promoting and hosting gospel concerts. He moved to Oregon in 1982 and began photographing and reviewing concerts for music publications. Since that time he has published myriads of photographs, articles, interviews, and contributed to 2 encyclopedias and published 6 books on everything from music to the military. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Bob%20Gersztyn His rock & roll photo art is available for sale on Etsy @: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ConcertPhotoImages?ref=seller-platform-mcnav Bob may be contacted personally at bobgersztyn@gmail.com

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