Scarlett Johansson - Anywhere I Lay My Head
[ATCO]

As weird a concept as anything Alan Partridge would come up with, 'Anywhere I Lay My Head' bizarrely, is a covers album of Tom Waits songs as performed by actress Scarlett Johansson. But she isn't alone here, in fact Johansson is in very good company for her debut - produced by Dave Sitek, a few cameos from David Bowie and a band of musicians that includes Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, as well as members of TV On The Radio, Tall Firs and Celebration.

If we cut to the chase, the question on everyone's lips is can Johansson sing? Well, her voice isn't quite what you'd expect, in fact it's nothing like how you'd imagine. Scarlett isn't hoping to prove she's a talented vocalist so you won't find any power ballads here. She rarely gives it her all, choosing instead a subdued, almost lazy-drawl that doesn't bode well with an initial listen, but does blend well when combined with the rich depths of instrumenation on offer.

You see, these aren't cover versions of your typical nature. The group involved have gone out of their way to re-imagine Waits' music, mostly delving into the realms of shoegazing, drone-pop and art-rock, nodding to Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine and early Spiritualized along the way. Tracks like the title song or lead single 'Falling Down' are the best example of this 4AD heavily influenced sound, with the warm hum of organs & synths, ambient noise, out-of-date drum machines and sprawling drones.

Changing elsewhere, is the 'White Lines'-style bass and jaunty electronica of 'I Don't Wanna Grow Up', the weird mesmerising percussion and plucked noise of 'Green Grass', or the acoustic guitars, trundling beats and floating free-jazz of the early Four Tet-esque 'Song For Jo' (the only original number here, no less).

The gutsiest of the eleven is 'I Wish I Was In New Orleans', a track which uses just the twinkling minimalism of a child's toy box - nothing else, no guitars, beats, feedback - which may not have been the wisest of decisions, as Johansson's voice is fully exposed. It's here you realise just how monotonous, her grating drawl is and subsequently, just how much the actress is masked behind the multiple layers of musicians involved elsewhere on the record.

Unexpectedly, Johansson doesn't hijack the limelight or turn the album into her own project of self-importance, like Madonna's recent effort she remains second player to the producer and musicians on board. Her own vocal contribution remains somewhat to be desired, though musically 'Anywhere I Lay My Head' is nothing short of excellence - but as the opening voice-less 'Fawn' suggests, perhaps this should have remained an instrumental release all along.

Tracklisting:

1. Fawn
2. Town With No Cheer
3. Falling Down
4. Anywhere I Lay My Head
5. Fannin Street
6. Song For Jo
7. Green Grass
8. I Wish I Was In New Orleans
9. I Don't Wanna Grow Up
10. No One Knows I'm Gone
11. Who Are You