Marc Broussard

At first glance, it's tempting to lump Marc Broussard in with folks like Gavin DeGraw -- all those good-looking white boys signed in the wake of Dave Matthews' success. There's quite a bit more to Broussard, though. His latest record, Carencro, may be too slick, but his voice is immediately striking -- deeper and more soulful than any of his contemporaries'.

Broussard is a natural performer. His dad was the guitarist in the legendary Gulf Coast show band the Boogie Kings for years, and Broussard's voice will remind you of Boogie Kings singer G.G. Shinn. Broussard is ably supported by a good rhythm section and guitarist Gib Droll, a veteran of the eastern-seaboard circuit who proves a worthy foil. Carencro, Broussard's major-label debut, sounds a bit too polished, but features a couple of memorable tunes, including one ("Rock Steady") that sounds like a bona fide hit. It doesn't really matter, though. Broussard is going to win his audience the old-fashioned way: by blowing them away live, night after night. We recommend you see him now, so you can gloat to your friends in a few years' time.