Is it a stunt, or is this for real? Scarlett Johansson makes her first, and perhaps only, venture into the music world, with her album of Tom Waits covers called
Anywhere I Lay My Head. This album being attributed to Scarlett Johansson is curious, as I suspect she didn't have that much to do with it. All of the players involved with the making of this record are the upper crust of New York scenesters, including producer
David Sitek (TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and some of his closest friends (TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs). While each of them are clearly talented, their re-invention of Tom Waits classics are done a disservice by giving so much credit to Miss Johansson. I suspect her biggest contribution to the album was perhaps as muse, with David Sitek describing his vision for the vocals as 'tinkerbell on cough syrup.' Scarlett Johansson certainly looks the part, and not being a very good singer and sounding like a 40 year old smoker makes her the most obvious candidate for this role. Her indie cred doesn't hurt, either. She's 'artsy' enough for a concept such as this.
Tom Waits as subject matter is an interesting choice. His music is best known for its cinematic appeal, and re-telling his stories would demand an expert storyteller. Again, I think this was part of the Scarlett decision. The music, the lyrical imagery and the delivery would need to combine harmoniously if it is to remain authentic.
Anywhere I Lay My Head certainly tries, and at times even comes close. Most of the album, however, just feels dirty. Scarlett is faking it. The whole band is faking it. Musically it is innovative, and the experimentation in the production is exciting to listen to. However, this album is seriously lacking in perspective. They seem to like Tom Waits songs, but not necessarily get them. There is no restraint. There are no layers. What you hear on the first listen is what you will hear in the hundredth listen. There is little incentive for repeat playing.
No track exemplifies this disconnect greater than 'I Wish I Was In New Orleans'. Scarlett is not to be believed and the music is so overtly simple, it sounds over the top. The record is full of good ideas and poor choices making for a frustrating listening experience. It should be better than it is. The talent is there...the knowledge is not. They need an adult.
Mike Doughty, for example. I thought of him often while listening to
Anywhere I Lay My Head, wondering if Sitek and friends thought they were the first to traverse this musical landscape. When the group does work with an adult, they end up with the two best songs on the record, 'Falling Down' and 'Fannin Street' featuring textural vocalizations from none other than
David Bowie. Those are, unfortunately, the only 2 memorable tracks on the album.
This record is clearly for indie types. It's weird and noisy and at times makes very little sense, but it is a truly artistic endeavor involving many talented people. While their immaturity often betrays their ambition, Sitek and company should be commended for their ballsy attempt to reinterpret a master. I think they would have been better off releasing 'Falling Down' as a random single off a soundtrack to a Scarlett Johansson movie rather than creating an entire album on the idea, but
Anywhere I Lay My Head is not entirely unlistenable and will surely find an audience somewhere.
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Scarlett Johansson- Anywhere I Lay My Head
Scarlett Johansson and Deborah Harry interview Each Other