Havent read the whole thread (just the first page) but I agree, BRD is too much just a ranger at this point. The other two are in a nice place right now at the far end support DNC and the high end dps MCH. I would really like to see BRD get some more utility/song like effects back. Song like effects dont even necessarily have to be raid utility, but there needs to be more actual music connected to the class. It's also really not in a super strong place right now. Its not terribad, but its not great either.

This is just shooting ideas that may be bad here but; maybe three stances the BRD could switch between that werent cooldowns so it really was on need with simple effects coming from their 3 songs? one with a regen, one with a crit bonus, one with an MP restore for when the healers need it. all mild bonuses.
Could even give it an in combat movement speed buff song that would actually allow players to get more dps uptime before escaping, or just escape easier from AOEs in savage. In combat movement speed buff would be both very niche, nice QoL, but not a dps enhancer making it special.
Heck BRDs could even have a specialized esuna if no one wanted to go the regen route. There are so many options that still fit well in the game without unbalancing things that would just make them well... more bardy
Or just add songs that effect their own dps more. A personal speed buff on cooldown associated with a song.