What makes Passenger by Tara McLean notable?

The album received critical acclaim, particularly for its lyrical depth and McLean's vocal performance. It contributed to her recognition in the folk genre, leading to nominations at various Canadian music awards and establishing her as a prominent artist in the early 2000s. Passenger is Tara McLean's second album, released after her debut, Silence. At this point in her career, she was emerging as a notable figure in the Canadian folk music scene, building on the success of her debut and solidifying her artistic identity.

How many songs are on Passenger?

Passenger has 13 tracks, running approximately 54 minutes.

Passenger

Tara McLean · 2000

54 min · 13 tracks · traditional folk music

Ethereal melodies intertwine with heartfelt lyrics, creating a soundscape that resonates with the essence of folk storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Jericho — Opening with haunting harmonies, this track sets the tone for the album while showcasing McLean's vocal prowess and emotional delivery.
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Passenger — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of journey and introspection, featuring a compelling melody that lingers long after listening.
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If I Fall — This song stands out for its poignant exploration of vulnerability and uncertainty, highlighted by McLean’s delicate yet powerful vocal performance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

Passenger showcases solid songwriting and emotional delivery, with effective pacing and cohesion throughout.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent use of acoustic guitar and soft percussion, creating a gentle, flowing sound.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that build emotional intensity, particularly in the choruses.
The final three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, allowing for a reflective conclusion to the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Jericho 3:34
2 Divided 4:40
3 If I Fall 4:09
4 Reach 4:54
5 Dry Land 3:29
6 Jordan 5:22
7 Passenger 4:00
8 Settling 4:05
9 Poor Boy 3:54
10 La Tempete 3:50
11 Blinded 3:07
12 Higher 5:06
13 Shakota 4:14

What to play next

Listen next

Wake

2008

Go back to

Silence

1996

Full Tara McLean discography Artists like Tara McLean

traditional folk music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata