Customer Reviews

Passenger

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I never thought there would be a slow song that would get my heart beating like a dance tune, but 'Settling' by Tara MacLean, featured on this CD, is one of the most amazing songs I've ever heard. But it's not the only song on this CD that is truly a treat to listen to. I first heard some songs by her on soundtracks and on some episodes of 'Dawson's Creek' and it kept me interested in her work. Her voice is lovely and dramatic, like Jewel's but different. I was a little reluctant to buy it when a magazine criticized her for being a little 'too religious' with two songs titled after bible events. But I went with my instincts and I truly enjoyed it. It is one of the best CDs in my collection and not a day goes by that I don't listen to it! Buy it, it's wonderful!

Well, where do I begin? Tara Maclean is an amazing artist and there's no two ways about it. You can't compare her to anyone else. The song "If I fall" is the first song I fell in love with on this CD. I walked into a downtown cafe and heard her singing this song and I was enchanted by her beautiful voice. After her show I got the opportunity to talk with her, now how often do you go to a performance and get to chat with the artist. I've never had that experience until I met Tara. Back to the album, the songs "Passenger", "La Tempete", and "Settling" are divine. I highly recommend this album to anyone who is longing for a singer with true lyrics and a great heart. I also would urge you to see her live if you get a chance. Her cafe tour was all free shows, what a bargain for such a talented woman!

When I first listened, I was sort of regretful on buying this album--it just didn't do anything for me. I wasn't impressed. But I kept it, and then a few months later I listened again--and again and again. And now I play Tara MacLean more than I play Sarah MacLachlan or Dido. She's very beautiful--her voice, her beautiful lyrics, her sound. She's not unusual--(except for maybe her last two songs) but she's good. I like and respect her work, and I often fall asleep with it playing in my cd player. Like most good albums this one takes time to love. And like most good albums, once you love it you'll always love it--it's not a flighting fancy. Buy this one and "Silence" You will not regret it, I promise. (Say Britney?)

Noted songs: (Ones to download to test drive this CD)
*Blinded
*If I Fall
*Passanger
*Jordan

And from "Silence"
*Silence
*Evidence
*For you
*Let her feel the rain

Enjoy

I first heard of Tara MacLean when, by chance, I heard her song "If I Fall." I almost immediately fell in love with it, but was reluctant to buy her album; as in past experiences with other artists, sometimes the only song you've heard is the only good song. I finally broke down and bought Passenger-- and it is now one of my favorite cd's. Tara has a very beautiful voice-- an excellent tone and moving expression. Her lyrics, most of which she wrote herself, are stirring and often even spiritual. One track is in French-- a very beautiful song loosely translated as "The Storm." If I listed my favorite songs I would have to list at least half of them, but to be a bit more helpful, I'd have to say that "Jericho," "If I Fall," and "Passenger" are my favorites. I love her music so much that I bought her first album, Silence, as soon as I could. I hope she comes out with many more just as beautiful.

Once in a while I come across a CD that captures my imagination and thoughts. For me its rare that I like just about very cut on a CD and its even rarer that the music seeps into my consciousness. This is that CD. There have been references to Sarah McLaughlan and I suppose that fits. But Tara Maclean stands on her own as a performer who weaves beautiful images with her band and amazing voice. After this CD won me over I ran out and bought Silence, her first CD. I must admit that like Passenger better. There is something about her music that is hard to describe but I knew almost right away that the music she creates is personal and from the heart without being sentimental. There are truths here in her words. If you want an extraordinary listening voyage I urge everybody who reads this to get this truly miraculous CD. You will not be disappointed.

4 albums have been released recently that are so powerful, they will change the face of music for many years to come. Tara MacLean's "Passenger" is at the top of that list. Her song writing is beyond her years, the music is powerful and poetic and the CD just won't leave your Stereo.

Along with Diana Krall's, "When I Look in Your Eyes.", Keith Jarrett's, "The Melody At Night With You," Sting's "Brand New Day" and John McArthur's, "Hidden." Tara MacLean's "Passenger " is number one in my top 5.

I'm a big supporter of Nettwerk Records. There are times, however, when I think its roster of producers and musicians may not be the best to serve some of its artists.

Nettwerk artists tend to have a studio sheen to them, and more than a few of them are fitted with synthesized arrangements that point to a unified sonic identity for the label (similar to England's 4AD). In the case of Tara MacLean, unfortunately, it's to the detriment of her sound. On her debut Silence, MacLean shone the brightest when her voice was left to express itself, without layers and layers of sound effects and keyboards to obscure her. And it was no surprise that MacLean's strongest recordings so far are live tracks: The live versions of "Evidence" from the If You See Me EP and "Hold Me Jordan" from the first double-disc Lilith Fair compilation showed that MacLean wasn't a docile kind of angelic voice, but is capable of a fiery delivery, infinitely expressive, knowingly giving up some technical polish for emotional outbreak.

Passenger doesn't take full advantage of that. Though rhythms tend to be snappier and MacLean's vocal performance less restrained than on Silence, there are still times when the synths (mediocre drumming aplenty on this record) give the songs a colder feel than they deserve. "If I Fall", "Jericho", "Passenger", "Dry Land" -- all of them suffer from this. They are wonderfully written and MacLean's singing is bell-clear, but I always think they could be taken to another level if given a rawer, more spontaneous treatment.

As of now, Passnger is a little too mannered, too distant, and not tapping into the delicious fire that MacLean can access in her live performances. She remains an artist to watch and listen for -- especially for the day when she cuts loose her powerful voice and shows us her true potential.

I recently purchased Tara Maclean's Passenger, and I must say that it was a good buy. Her songs have a catchy, yet not pop sort of style. Her 5th track, Dryland, has been featured in numerous television shows, and I must say is one of my faviourites. It has a very soothing melody, and can be played over and over without you getting tired of it. In fact, her whole CD flows very well, and you can just listen to it over and over again. Sarah McLachlan fans, will surely appreciate this CD. All the tracks on this CD are very good. Very mellow and good music to just sit back and enjoy, or to leave on while doing something else.

Passenger appears to be one of those albums you either love or hate. I, for one, love it.

Tara MacLean remains one of the tragically unrecognized great artists. In the current world of fabricated bands and artists who can't sing outside of a studio, there is little room for the honest, from-the-heart music of Tara. And two years after it's initial release, Passenger is still one of the five albums I carry with me everywhere.

I've been a fan of Tara since 1998, when I first saw her live at a small venue in Los Angeles. I'd never heard a voice so pure, so perfect. I think I spent most of that night with shivers running up and down my spine. I've been a dedicated fan ever since, catching every performance I can.

Passenger is the second step in Tara's music evolution. While her first album Silence is raw and dominated by the production qualities, Passenger provides a sonic feast that allows Tara's voice and songwriting to shine through. Co-produced by Malcolm Burn (Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris) and Tara's husband and guitar player Bill Bell, Passenger moves in many directions. It provides a few pop singles (Divided, If I Fall), a few slow ballads (Higher, Settling, La Tempete), and a indigenous chant (Shakota). All the while, Tara's magnificent voice comes through loud and clear.

There are a few things to mention, though, when discussing this album so that it's origins are understood. First, Tara is at heart a self-taught acoustic guitarist/singer with a healthy background in a variety of religions. Her fascination with the spiritual comes through time and again, and you can't help but notice the biblical references throughout (Jericho, Jordan). To put it in perspective, though, Gaia is also thanked in the liner notes. Second, the guitar work on this album is mostly attributable to Bill Bell, who uses his electric guitar to create sonic tapestries and not the traditional guitar riffs most people are familar with. Hearing this live is truly a treat, but it does take some getting used to when you're used to a three chord progression. Finally, the drumming on this album, while not strictly from a programmed drum machine, does lack the warmth and vitality that a great drummer provides. Since this album was recorded, Tara has been performing with Blake Manning, a wonderfully sublime drummer that can play anything from light, hand tapped rhythms to full-on hard rock drumming with equal aplumb. I hope to hear him performing on the next album.

Passenger provides an intresting introduction to the strength of Tara's vocals, but be assured that they are somewhat subdued for the sake of perfection. Her potential is most evident on "Settling" and "Shakota," where there is a vibrancy in her voice that closely approximates the live experience. Don't get me wrong, the vocals on the album are incredible, but live Tara takes it to a whole other level. I cannot stress this enough - see Tara live before you discard her or her music.

Also, I feel I must address the constant comparisons to Sarah McLachlan. Other than the similarity in the name and their record label, there are very few similarities. Sarah is a classically trained guitar and piano player who took years and years of vocal lessons. Tara taught herself guitar and (some) piano while singing with her famous (in Canada) father, Marty Reno. Those that think Tara is nothing but a Sarah-clone fabricated by the industry music machine to sell albums don't have a clue. She's an artist in her own right, who's reluctantly chosen a career in music. (Compare that to Sarah who pursued a musical career from an early age.)

If you like singer songwriter types, Tara is an absolute must-add to your collection. Her raw talent eclipses most of her contemporaries. However, if you're looking for a deep intellectual and complex musical experience, you might want to look elsewhere. Tara plays it pretty straight, doesn't look for an obtuse way to say what she means, or try to be anything she's not. Tara is open and honest about who she is and what she stands for, and the music reflects that. Passenger gives the listener a great glimpse into Tara's soul. It's not without it's flaws, but none of them take away from the overall experience.

Every now and then, you get the privilege of hearing a singer with a truely wonderful voice. Other times, a singer will have phenomonal lyrics that make you stand up and take notice. Tara is one of the truely rare who combines both.

Like Silence, the heaviest hitting song is on track four, and like "More", "Reach" is one of the standout tracks (others being "Jericho" and "Jordan", though they all should be up here). With "Reach", MacLean should put to rest any notions that a girl with a clear voice can't "rock."

Another similarity between Silence and Passenger is that the last track (though this time there's a 20-odd second track gap) is an instrumental. There's chanting this time, but as far as I can tell, no actual words in this excellent pseudo-African song.

I've got to say, 5 stars, and a bonus round of applause for again making the bonus track an actual track. It gives me no end of bother when a singer will tag what is arguably the best song on the end of the last track, like people wouldn't want to listen to just that song.