Review: Marc Broussard ‘Time is a Thief’

Review: Marc Broussard ‘Time is a Thief’

By Hal Horowitz

The unceasing ticking of life’s clock plays a significant part in Marc Broussard’s new album, and not just because of its evocative title.

Time is a Thief is the Louisiana born and bred singer’s first album of original material since 2017, a situation also associated with the disc’s name. But even though the blue-eyed soul man hasn’t produced new music during that span, he has stayed busy. He recorded two more collections of covers (one a children’s themed project) in his ongoing S.O.S. series, revisited some of his material in a stripped-down, live in the studio session (2019s Home [The Dockside Sessions]), and toured extensively.

He also delivered a handful of singles, a few of which made their debut back in 2022, which reappear here. That speaks to how long these ten tracks have been germinating.

On Time is a Thief Broussard worked with co-producers Eric Krasno and Jeremy Most, veterans that understand and highlight the singer’s vocal strengths. Krasno also wrote or co-wrote seven selections, further emphasizing his presence.

Even within his soul boundaries, the album’s diversity and ability to balance both retro and contemporary styles is unique. Whether he’s leaning into a swampy, Southern R&B groove as on the sizzling opening track “Fire” featuring guest horns straight out of Stax (which frustratingly don’t reappear) and a searing vocal combining Al Green’s sex and WiIson Pickett’s crackle, or taking us to the beach on the lightly tropical inflected lilt of “Give You the World,” Broussard covers plenty of ground while sticking to his distinctive palette.

He keeps the temperament upbeat on the funky title track reminding us that “… in this life there’s no guarantees/Time’s gonna teach you/That you can’t cheat time…/Time is a thief/Just ticking along no matter where you’re going” while a Mexicali trumpet solos and the percussive rhythm clip-clops along like a galloping steed.

The vibe gets moody on the soul/blues “Carry My Name” where Krasno nails a short, sharp guitar solo on the gently bubbling tune. The singer takes the voice of a dying man hoping his son maintains his legacy, singing “When I’m gone, boy you’re gonna carry my name/So be strong, don’t ever let ‘em hold you back.”

Those who revere the golden era of the Blaxploitation soundtrack explosion exemplified by Shaft, Superfly and others featuring wah-wah heavy, intoxicating guitars will gravitate to “Cold Blooded” and “Hard Times.” Broussard and his producers evoke those years without imitating them on two of this disc’s finest entries. There’s just enough Bobby “Blue” Bland to his vocals to tap into that classic singer’s style on the latter, while Krasno kicks in with one of his most lava-lamp inducing psychedelic solos. The thumping beats propelling “Way You Shine” and the singer’s honest vocals occasionally recall Robert Palmer at his least affected.

Kudos go also to the guitarist and Most who provide the majority of backing on multiple instruments. Even with extensive overdubbing, drum programming (could they have budgeted for a live drummer?) and samples, the generally organic sound never feels synthetic.

Broussard combines his old-school influences with modern production to make the ruggedly engaging Time is a Thief feel, well, timely.

Watch “Time Is A Thief”