A Book List turned Scarlett Johansson Review

I keep a list of books/music that I want. here is a current version:

Collected Work of Fiction by Jorge Luis Borges
Now You Know by Tony Arcabascio
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
As I Lay Dying by Faulkner
Everything is Illuminated by Foer
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
Metamorphasis by Kafka

my music list is surprisingly short

-The BPA (they won me over with their clever nudity/censoring music video)
-The War on Drugs
-Giantess
-War
-Tom Waits


speaking of Tom Waits, not many people are aware of the album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, that Scarlett Johansson released earlier this year. It consists of complex and beautifully tragic Tom Waits covers, courtesy of genius producer Dave Sitek (member of TV on the Radio, producer of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Foals).


Although Scarlett is known for her soft sexy curves making up for a terrible perfomance in The Island (I don't care who you think you are, it was bad. Ewen McGregor can't pull off an American Accent, either!!) her voice is harsh and brittle against the majestic sadness of the accompaniment, and is definitely drowned out by each intricate arrangment. Her impromptu live performance with The Jesus and Mary Chain at Coachella last year was supposed to be a stepping stone into the music industry for her, and she should've taken it as a huge cosmic hint when everyone present was less than enthused. The only song I really had a desire to listen to more than once was Song for Jo, track 6, which for some reason I really enjoyed.

Even though I would call this album a failure, I definitely respect the people, work, and concept behind it. Its an impressive failure, how about that? Check it out and tell me what you think! Click on the album link above to get to her page and you can listen for free.