Scarlett Johansson

Anywhere I Lay My Head finds mega-star Scarlett Johansson interpreting 10 Tom Waits songs. Now, as strange as that sounds, it works very well. The star of Lost In Translation and The Nanny Diaries has already exhibited an on-screen versatility that's enthralled both indie film snobs and mainstream moviegoers alike. Adding to her talents, she's got a diverse voice that'll likely span a gamut of music fans as well. Her dreamy baritone injects a soft sensuality into Tom Waits' dark, intelligent lyrics. Her re-recording of these songs is more of a "Re-envisioning," and the original poignancy definitely doesn't get lost in translation, either. From the strange, weighty organs opener "Fawn" to the shaky bliss of "Falling Down," Scarlett nails the strange dejection that Waits captured oh so well. "Anywhere I Lay My Head" bears an especially ethereal quality, as it segues from the melodic crescendo of clean instrumentation to her subtle vocal delivery on the chorus.

The one original track, "Song for Jo," starts with a faintly strummed acoustic guitar, and Scarlett's voice barely exceeds a whisper. It's folky and forlorn in some ways, but Scarlett gets taps into something. On this original track, her voice ebbs and flows naturally and conjures strange summertime imagery. She tells a weird little tale and ultimately draws even more from Waits on her own song. It's definitely the album's standout. It's also a very promising vignette. The Waits covers themselves all possess various merits, and Scarlett delivers them with reverence. Neverthless, it'll be great to see her take the reigns on her own album. If anything's disappointing, it's that Scarlett doesn't bust out more originals. After the closing strains of "Who Are You," you can't help but want another trip with Scarlett to this "Ghost World."

—Rick Florino
05.29.08