Picking up the pace for her sophomore album finds Tara MacLean unwilling or unable to go the full experimental distance. Take for instance the untitled track, number 13 on Passenger. MacLean shakes her beautiful blond bangs to the rhythms of unbridled sexual drumming. Combined with her lustful enchanting vocals that rival former Dead Can Dance’s Lisa Gerrard, and you have a song that has been sorely overlooked on an otherwise average album. Had the album gone in this direction instead of the more conventional suburban house wife pleasing sound, than it would be absolutely brilliant. As long as the PEI native is content to stay in the safety net created by others (Sarah and Tori), she won’t find her own voice.
(Nettwerk)Tara MacLean
Passenger
BY Matt MernaghPublished Oct 1, 1999