music: heard

> MARC BROUSSARD: CARENCRO
Cool cat Broussard is older than his years on the earthy Carencro

By Allison M. Counasse
Music Critic

Blues rocker Marc Broussard issues his major label debut with Carencro, named after his hometown in Louisiana. A follow-up to his indie CD Momentary Setback, Broussard includes just one of Setback's tracks in this new set, a reworked version of “The Wanderer”. At times Broussard sounds like a one-man jam band, akin to Dave Matthews. At other moments, he's the guy in the coffee shop wearing his heart on his sleeve. Broussard's music is likeable, his voice sounds older than his twenty-something years.

A prevailing theme on Carencro is loneliness. Broussard is the wanderer, on the road yet yearning for home. He is torn between these two worlds. This sense of melancholy permeates the album and connects the listener to universal ideas of heartache and freedom. Echoing this is an earthy, organic sound. This is not over-processed power pop. This is soulful music.

The first single from Carencro is “Where You Are" a brilliant love song. It has more of a pop sound than the rest of the album and is a good introduction to Broussard’s music. The imagery of being on the road but longing for home is found in the lyrics:

“I’ve stood alone in New York City / I’ve watched the sunset in L.A. / I ride for miles and miles and end up getting nowhere / But I’ve never felt this way / … /
And I want to be where you are”

Other highlights of Carencro include the bluesy “Lonely Night in Georgia” and the infectious "Rock Steady". The latter is a rollicking number that is just fun, frivolous, and perfect for summer. Bonus track “Gavin’s Song” is dedicated to Broussard’s son. It’s another reminder of the separation and loneliness of life on the road and a bittersweet one at that.

Broussard is an old soul who makes music with broad appeal. Carencro is a must listen CD from a guy we hope will be making real music for real people for a real long time.

(04-0901)

info:
Island Records
Release Date: 08/03/2004

track listing:
01. Home
02. Rocksteady
03. Beauty of Who You Are
04. Save Me
05. Come Around
06. Where You Are
07. Lonely Night in Georgia
08. Saturday
09. Wanderer
10. Hope for Me Yet
11. Let Me Leave
Bonus Track: Gavin's Song

related links:
Marc Broussard - official site