Anywhere I Lay My Head is brave, complex, compelling, smart, dreamy, challenging, alternative, and that means it's not for everyone. At the moment of its release, it was only "a record made by a Hollywood star". Many of those who listened to it thinking "Wow, she's beautiful, she can act, if she can sing, it's the whole package!", were completely disappointed, even felt insulted. Well, now those days are gone, and so is the 'wrong' hype about the record. What stays now is the wonderful production by David Andrew Sitek, the dreamy voice of Scarlett melting with the music as if it was another instrument (that was the most intelligent way of using her 'limited' voice), the intelligent adaptation of Waits' songs making them sound completely different, yet still containing the true spirit of the master...

Anywhere I Lay My Head is destined to become a cult listening in the next years, and it is by far the best album released in 2008. I doubt we'll listen to something better before the year ends.

Just as each Tom Waits album surprises and delights with fresh original sounds, this album of covers does the same. Not at all what I'd expect from a TW cover album, and that's exactly what I should have expected!
Highest recommendations.

I think that Scarlett has gotten a lot of undue criticism from the majority of the public. I am a die hard Tom Waits fan and I think she has done these songs justice, and done them very well in her own way. No she doesn't have a voice like a pop star, but she doesn't need to, because then she would be just like everyone else. I think this record is not for the general public because most people wont get it. She loves music, loves Tom Waits, she can carry a tune, why not make a record if you want to. Many people have done far worse in the past. If you don't like the record, ok, but lets not belittle someone for doing something they love, and doing a pretty good job at it too.

... so what?

She's a charming lady and talented actress, who decided to sing her personal tribute to one of her favourite artists. And she does it pretty well, in my opinion.

The arrangements are really good, eerie and reminiscent of the atmosphere of Twin Peaks, at times.
Scarlett's voice is powerful and well controlled. All the covers are more than pleasant -- my favourite are "Town With No Cheer", "I Don't Want To Grow Up" and "Falling Down" (on which David Bowie sings the backing vocals).

Forty minutes, more or less, of good dream pop. This is a good album, if you can leave all prejudices aside.

It's odd. Read review, expected Tom.
First track - hang in there - you can get past it. Not a great piece.
I give SJ and band credit as Tom Waits is not an easy act to follow, however, extra credit given for the passion to actually put a piece together to tribute Tom!

Tom is a very old soul, a lover, a fighter... So I can appreciate SJ's CD. Kudo's to her for not making a CD that will give her a one-hit-wonder!

First attempt, 2.5 - 3 stars. Will she follow-up??

Sorry, I love Tom Waits & he may not be the world's greatest singer by any stretch, I love the way he sings! I think Scarlett is a gorgeous girl, but singing is definitely not her forte. I like her movies, though.

First, this is a great record. But you have to know what you're getting. This isn't American Idol, this isn't some actress who just made a record for no particular reason. This is a record of Tom Waits songs. Tom is a weird artist and if you get him, you're probably an open minded person. You might like Julee Cruise. You might like David Lynch. You might like The Flaming Lips. You might like Charlotte Gainsbourg. You might like Lisa Germano. You might like The Moldy Peaches. Maybe Camera Obscura. Sparklehorse, perhaps. Meg Baird and the Espers. Steve Burns' Songs for Dustmites. Spiritualized, or Sigur Ros.

If any of these ring a bell, you may well understand the sensibility underlying this record, and you will probably like it a lot, if not out and out love it. If you haven't heard of any of these, keep on looking. But for those who appreciate this kind of thing, its a great record with original and sometimes even compelling takes on Waits' work. Scarlett may not exactly be a chanteuse, but she's something better, she's an artist.

So sick of everyone commenting on her VOICE. Its about the sound. And this album sounds beautiful. Sitek did an amazing job. Her voice works for the sound. The end.

What an absolute travesty. It's one thing for an accomplished artist to pay homage to one of the greats, but for this "actress" to take on the material of Tom Waits is pretty ballsy to say the least. Did someone see her at a karaoke somewhere and in a drunken moment suggest this to her?
The musical arrangements are fairly decent on this, but other than that it's trash. At times I think she's attempting to sing like Fiona Apple doing Tom Waits and failing horribly. "I don't Wanna Grow Up" has to be the lowest point on this. IF you at all enjoy Tom Waits AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!

I think what the problem with this release is not the choice of material or the inexperience of Johansson, but the lack of soul and genuine emotion in each recording. These songs demand that type of intensity. Whether you like Tom or hate him, you cannot argue the integrity and soul that he pours into each and every song. I did find the arrangements interesting at best, but that aside, this is among the worst collections of Wait's covers to date. I give her credit for taking such a huge chance, but she ultimately fell short.

Before listening to this CD, I was so excited to hear some Tom Waits songs in a different voice. I believe Tom Waits is the most underrated musician. His voice is captivating and you either like his music or you just do not get it. Many people that I know just do not get his music.

I have to give credit to Scarlett Johansson for making an attempt to sing songs that are powerful and influential. In this album, her voice is almost muffled or echoed to make her sound a bit drained and saddened. I listened to her on [...] for a live performance and her voice was still produced in a way that just made me miss Tom Waits more. I do not know if her overly produced vocals were intended to improve her voice, but I am sure her natural singing voice would better represent the songs that she is singing.

No one can imitate Tom Waits, because he has such an odd voice; deep and melancholy. "Falling Down" is the best track that Scarlett sings. Every other track seems like it would have been a great idea if it were done by someone else. I love listening to cover music, but only when it reflects the source of where the songs came from. This album seems like it was an idea that was on the spur of the moment; almost as if it would be cool to add singer to someone's resume. I sing Tom Waits songs every time I hear his music, but I am the worse singer in the world. Miss Johansson is "Lost in Translation" on this album, but she did give it a noble attempt. Please have someone else cover Mr. Waits before he dies.

....and for me, thats a beautiful thing. Right in the inside cover, it stated that David Sitek tried to recreate the 4AD genre of music...Now, you must enjoy those 4AD artists(This Mortal Coil, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance) to actually find the beauty in this one. Good lord, is there beauty in this one.

I have always enjoyed Ms. Johansson's acting abilities...so, when I saw she released a music CD, smooth Jazz naturally came into my head...right? How far wrong I was, let me tell you....I haven't heard a more profound eclectic album since those wonderful shining years of 4AD...

This CD shot me straight back into high school fully enveloped in my Cure era...its beautiful...her voice is so sharp and perfect for this type of singing that I sat there dumbfounded for the 40 or so mintues that this CD is..

I loved it...thoroughly...I would give it 4 1/2 stars...Sitek was a little overpowering on the synth and drowned out the vocals during some parts...

Get it, but, only if you liked the 4AD artists...this is a keeper for me.

This is quite frankly the most disappointing album I have come across ever. When I saw the movie Lost in Translation I heard her sing in the scene where she sings Karaoke. I heard this album and came across the most overproduced tripe. It did not even sound like a woman's voice! It sounded like a megaphone blowing a combination of words that reminded people of a Tom Waits song. I was very much looking forward to this album. Having listened to this I can't tell when one song ends and when the other begins. She had the guts to step up to the plate and gave a big whiffer in the end.

Zero stars from me, actually

After listening to the first second of her singing, I wondered if it was a joke ...

Not only am I sick of all these actresses thinking they can sing (yes, that includes Vanessa Williams), I'm also sick of famous people who will do anything to promote their fame and money, even in areas where they don't have an ounce of talent. Not even the most powerful machines could fix the fact that either SHE CAN'T SING AT ALL or she's trying desperately to sound like some dreamy techno artist but is instead sounding just boring and weird.

The instrumental background for each song is terrific.

Sharlett Johansson has a low-register voice (a hint of Cher),
with a range that allows some high notes. The songs are not
particularly upbeat, but entertaining.

It is a reflective mood, and an album I have listened to
many times. (Many albums are once-only).

I enjoy the album.

Despite the horrendous reviews, I decided to give the Scarlett album a shot. I was very pleasantly surprised. No, she doesn't have the best voice. But I think everyone involved was aware of that and the instrumentals are done very well to accompany that. The album just has a really cool, melancholy, sound to it. It's the kind of CD you would pop in while sitting back with a drink, taking a nap, or something of the sort. I think what also really works is that the musical style fits Scarlett's persona really well. It has that kind of subtle, relaxed feel. It's good stuff, ladies and gentlemen. Give it a try without any preconceptions or expectations. You might enjoy it.

Really risky to do Waits - go ahead and try it (i appreciate the big balls it took) but if it turns out this bad don't unleash it on the rest of us just keep it to yourself. And if someone's already done it and done it to perfection like Holly Cole best to make sure yours is even better.

She sounds like a mixture of some kind of swamp monster and some glam rock man kind of thing... I am not sure why they didn't help her out with some kind of technology. (Although I am suspecting they did, and she actually doesn't even sound close to human without some digital assistance...)

There seems to be a bimodal distribution of ratings... it's all good or all bad.

It's seems critics wanted this to suck just because she's a pretty actress... it doesn't. In fact, it is quite good. You have to give the girl props for evoking shoe gazing (Jesus and Mary Chain), mellow-echo (Mazzy Star), and some 70s space (Nico... and she even got Bowie to sing back up on a track).

Critics here say she "can't sing" Well to be honest none of my favorite artists would be called great singers. Who's a good singer? Rihanna? Ashanti? Jordan Sparks? Brittany? Christina? Oh wait... I know, it's that canadian chick who sang the Titanic song? I don't like any of those "great singers". Jeez... you people... what makes an artist interesting is how they interpret songs and their own unique voice. The thing that was the biggest disappointment on this recording was the fact the producers felt they should turn down her voice... it's hard to even hear her (so how could you criticize this much).

What we do hear is very pleasing. I may have ordinarily given it a 4, but since she made me think of Jesus and Mary Chain, and to balance some of these inappropriately low ratings, she gets 5 stars.

I'd love to hear more of her (on a recording that we could actually hear HER over the din of over-production). I'd like to hear an acoustic album.

I'm a huge fan of Tom Waits and I really, really like this album.I'm not familiar with Scarlet's film work but this is no actress trying to be a singer.Her vocals blend beautifully with the incredible musicianship.I can only agree with the positive reviews and I don't understand the criticisms of her singing.I highly recommend this record and it is definitely on my top ten list for the year.

Let me preface this by saying that you don't cover Tom Waits like this unless you're a music legend yourself. That's sacred ground. So, if you're not a music legend, don't think you can pull something like that off. It's REALLY pretentious, because Tom is a totally unique performer and musician -- a treasure. So, this album strikes me as completely self-indulgent and I'm kind of embarrassed for Scarlett. I like her as an actress and I think it's cool that she's a Tom Waits fan, but she should leave awesome where it is -- with Tom Waits. I don't really know what she was thinking.

As far as the arrangements go, I think they're boring and she's not really singing, more speaking. So, basically anyone could have done this. I don't know who the audience is, but I'm betting there will be people who buy it and go "She is such a good songwriter!"...ugh.

To technical things, she has a nice sounding voice, but who knows if she can actually sing.

I'm disappointed to see several mediocre and bad reviews for this album - both for the lack of thoughtfulness in the content of those reviews, as well as for the poor ratings of the album. I was not previously a Scarlett fan (I haven't seen many of her movies), and I had zero expectation whatsoever of even bothering to listen to this album... I'm not into Hollywood. I only got the album because there was a bad review printed on the front page of my local newspaper, and I accidentally noticed that the album is all Tom Waits covers. I admire Tom Waits, although I am not into his music (I partly like him because he is decidedly NOT Hollywood or mainstream in that sense). Several listeners wrote that it took "guts" and "bravery" for Scarlett to cover these songs, especially since this is her debut. I don't think that's "guts" - to me, that is being artistic and creative. If you place the songs side by side, they are quite different, but they all show reverence for Waits (the album is reverent to him in and of itself). I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling that Waits is deeply honored, and I'm sure he enjoyed hearing his songs reinvented with such grace. Listening to these songs makes me think of a dream state. One review said she sounds like she's singing underwater - I agree with that, and I think it's awesome. I'm sure that the dreamy-underwater style is quite intentional. Scarlett has a beautiful voice, and I like that it's deep and pensive. I think in some songs, she's probably forcing her natural register a little low in order to bring truth to these songs - again, choices that I admire and find appealing from an artist's point of view. Great job, Scarlett! You scored one for the team.

I really do like this album, but I know that most of people think it's boring, so, I think that it's not your style of music, but I think it's perfect, Scarlett fits her voice in a ton to make the songs very dramatic. The production, the band, it's fantastic. I also like the whole package, I really loved the artwork, it's one of the best that I ever saw.

Congratulations. I just can't take it away of my sound system.

My father was a musician. I remember sitting with him and listening to jazz and classical and well, everything under the sun...accept for this album...I think that everyone these days thinks that they have talent and/or are talented...and I believe that the word "talent" is misused quite a bit...I mean why would an actress whose talent is questionable at best without her big breasts and pouty lips...try-ever try-to sing, let alone make or "create" an album...Stick with what you know dear...push your chest out and pout out your lips and make yourself look all cute, until your too old to look cute anymore and too old to give anyone a hard on...but, please stop singing...because Alanis Morissette you are not...and sooner or later..he'll know.

just a big steamy pile of dog $%@&!!
in regards to some other comments here... yes Tom can be an amazing singer... but of the last 20 some years he's gone away from being the troubadour-type he once was.

But this record should never have been made... it's a slippery slope covering Tom & Scarlett fell all the way down (ha! I kill me). The long and the short of it is this....
she's not a very good singer so they buried her in the mix along with multiple tracks of her self (a studio trick to make a weak voice sound fuller), the arrangements are ok for 1988 and as a result of the 20 year old production & multi tracked/buried vocals.... this sounds like a really bad Sinéad O'Connor record and I cannot stomach her either....
-K

what is interpretation if not something different?

the girl has balls. to take tom wait's songs and twist them is an amazing feat in and of itself. audacity is one thing; accomplishing your goal...well...kind of priceless.

scarlett's voice is thick and it is heavy. the production up to par and ambient. she is not trying to make her masterpiece. she is not trying to release the top selling cd a the year. she is not trying to gain credibility in the music world. she simply wants to sing and maybe that is were the problem lays. i have read the reviews here on amazon and it amazes me that the harshness really has no warrant. people are bashing her as if she has created the ultimate abomination; an abortion of sound. if anything ms. johansson is holding back while having fun. she had an opportunity to experiment with something taboo apparently and she pulled it off without being pretentious. have you seen her on the talk show circuit? promoting the album relentlessly; doing live shows; hair, makeup, and fake smiles?

listen closely and see that her voice is held back. being pretentious is akin to being over the top and 'anywhere i lay my head' is anything but. i firmly believe that the purpose behind the project was not advancement but simply that feeling in your head of release of a passion. she is not smiling after every song, congratulating herself. she is giving respect where respect is due.

Different strokes for different folks I guess but I don't see why this CD is getting so slammed. The arrangements on the songs are very good indeed and the vocals are just fine. What, do they expect a Tom Waits gargle-with-drano voice here? Her voice is husky and fits in with the mood of the songs. So it's not crystal clear and up front but this recording is very listenable. Give a poor working girl a break ;)

This CD has gotten some very mixed reviews, from really good to down right awful. I liked it! Its kinda like a modern day subdued diva like Nico, doing all covers of Tom Waits songs. My question is Whats not to like? The arrangements are interesting and the singing is laid back and mellow, not nearly as in your face as Tom can be. For me it is enjoyable to put on while I read before going to bed. Im old now, when I was younger I listened to Tom Waits for days on end drinking alcohol to the point of near death experiences but those days thankfully have passed. There were maybe 2 songs I might have left off the CD or maybe arranged differently, but for my money it was exactly what I was after. A new artist giving a legendary artist their own twist. I recommend. Thanks.

Upon first listen, I was not sure what to make of this album. I would say I'm a fan of Scarlett's films, she usually makes interesting ones as opposed to nonsense, anyway, the focus is the album. I can see where it will not be an album for the masses, it's too good and unique for that. It's real beauty is that it's allure is only found after repeated listenings. The recording technique and vocal style sounds as if WE get to lay down in a swamp and experience it firsthand. It has an almost otherworldly quality, it's very theatrical in its scope. Even the packaging is not what one would expect from an A-list actress turned singer. No real glamour shots, only one of Scarlett in a tree and with the band. The cd folds open like a gatefold album (which will be great if it is replicated for the LP release) and just the entire presentation is offbeat. My favorite songs are "Fawn" which is an instrumental setting the stage for what you're getting into, the orchestral swells and bombast is relaxing in an unsettling way. "Fannin Street", one of the two songs that David Bowie sings backup on, is so beautiful it boggles my mind. Also, my extra special favorite is "I Wish I Was In New Orleans", which was recorded by making musical notes punched in paper which was fed through a music box,that ends up sounding like the sound of broken children's toys, very poetic and sad. Nice to lull you to sleep if you're so inclined.

I think this would have been better received if an actress hadn't recorded it, I heard her say on a MySpace interview with Deborah Harry that she knows she isn't really a singer, but just wanted to do it because she likes to sing. It wasn't like Paris or Britney, where their voice has obviously been ran through a zillion filters, and the end result is just that they sound like ever other girl on the radio these days.

If you're interested in hearing something different, that's moody and atmospheric, this is the album for you.

I thank God that I didn't pre-order the LP of this album! It's very rare that I really dislike an album, especially one I've paid for, but this one falls into that category. Imagine a croaking almost monotone delivery on every track. Imagine a voice that is frequently almost 1/4 tone off pitch, and often delivered with a lisp. Imagine depressing lyrics. Get the picture? Save yourself a lot of grief and purchase one of her movies instead. At least then you'd have a better chance of enjoying the experience. (And yes, I listened to it twice to make sure I wasn't missing something.)

It's simple really, if you like the gritty and raw sound of Tom Waits, you'll find this album pretentious, soft, boring and monotone. All you have to do is pull up a Tom Waits album on Amazon and pull up the Scarlett Album and play a song she's done. Then play the same song done by waits. Why buy money for bad covers of good songs? It is a no-brainer. This isn't good enough to even "expand" your taste in music. It's a subpar effort to try and sing difficult songs. She may have guts, but she has no voice to match tom waits. To even think she could pull off some of these songs, is just ridiculous.

I think the "critics" have been a little harsh with this record. Sure, she will get more scrutiny than someone who is not already famous, and by scrutiny I mean unfairly judged and treated, but after a few good listens, I think this is an admirable and sometimes wonderful effort. Her vocal style is a bit Nicoish sprinkled in with some of the more trendy hushed ethereal female vocal style which is being marketed so heavily and coming out in bushels these days, but I am struck more with the arrangements and the way in which the production was handled. No one can really interpret Tom Waits' songs. It is a brave effort and with TV on the Radio backing (who are electric by the way) this is a pretty good record. Not for a first timer or for a young pretty actress, but for ANYBODY. Take a listen to No One Knows I Am Gone, I Wish I Was in New Orleans and Who Are You and I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Besides, if she sang like Tom Waits, she'd be......Tom Waits. Cheers!

OK! I was curious and i wanted to REALLY hear it being a tom waits fan myself. I'm so glad i bought it! I'm not a fan of her movies or her acting. I find her lifeless and even plain ol' boring. Let me clarify that first.

OK, many have stated things about her voice and her not being a singer and all. She ain't bad but she ain't great either. she's OKAY. Her voice doesn't bother me but at times i do wonder if a better singer would do the songs more justice as her voice at times can really sound a bit flat and dull and uninspired. But then i think that a better singer would make the songs sound too conventional and that can be truly lifeless and boring. Her limited voice gives the songs an edge in my opinion and i'm leaning more to liking that better than hearing perfection.

I mean she is covering tom waits' music and he's not really a "beautiful" singer. But at this point, noone is going to criticize him for that as he is legendary. So is bob dylan. And even someone like Yoko ono in the way she uses her voice. she stuck to her guns and at this point noone is really going to tell her to go get some vocal lessons. But Scarlett is just starting and people will point out her limited vocal range. I think if anything critics have been kind to her so she's been lucky.


That's my two cents on her now "singing" career. Falling down is my favorite track from the album.

There's not a lot I can say, that other reviewers haven't said already. I wish I could have given it negative stars. Not only do I have a "how dare she" response to her covering Tom Waits songs, I'm appalled that David Bowie got behind this. I bought it because I figured it was worth a listen/must have some merit because of the names behind it. I'm also a huge fan of covers if they're done correctly. On top of having moderate respect for Johansson, I went ahead. I was sure that with such a sultry speaking voice, she would at least come through with some nice vocals. Needless to say, I was horrified and, quite frankly, pissed off about this album. I did not resell this album. It is the first album I have actually put in the trash. Someone shoot her "yes men".

Simply terrible. I can find no other words. She took something that was so rich and filled with brutally raw emotion and turned it into something mediocre at best. She just drones on and on, butchering what are some of the best lyrics ever put to song. It really made me cringe on so many levels. And yes, I am a Tom Waits fan. And yes, this is an insult. Just because some chick can act and look all pretty does not make her talented across the board. I'm starting to believe she has no talent whatsoever to be honest. It infuriated me to hear this album. She does the man a great disservice. Do not waste your money. If you must listen, please pirate it from a torrent. It is not worth a damn penny.