I admit to being somewhat torn about Scarlett Johansson’s album of Tom Waits songs, “Anywhere I Lay My Head.” I am, admittedly, not the biggest Tom Waits fan in the world. He might be the greatest songwriter since Cole Porter but I would never know because to me he’s near un-listenable. Like Tori Amos un-listenable. (Sorry, Caitlin.) I require a measure of melodic capability in my singer’s voices, and he just sounds like he’s been shotgunning cheap tequila and unfiltered Kools for far too long.
That said, I am close to being in love with this album, I think. It is spectacularly produced, taking full advantage of the girl’s odd contralto to evoke a very specific mood…one you might get whilst suicidal and on LSD. Not that I’ve ever been both (or either), but when you hear it you’ll understand.
*Bonus points for ID-ing the source of the title
on 
on May 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
As a huge Tom Waits fan (yes, we paid $75/ticket before surcharges to see him last year – but it was at the Ryman!), I am seriously frightened of this record. Scarlett Johansson? Really? I dunno…
on May 22nd, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Video link right there…CLICK IT!!!
on May 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Can’t – work computer doesn’t like it.
I listed to samples at Amazon: her voice isn’t bad, but I thought the production was kinda… heavy-handed. Still, I’ll reserve judgement until I can watch the video at home.
I’m still skeered.
on May 23rd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
You are so right. I can’t stop listening to it even though Tom Waits bores me and I normally make fun of actors with musical pretentions.