ATCO Records has dedicated a site to Scarlett Johansson's new album, Anywhere I lay my head. Scarlettalbum.com includes snippets from all the songs on the album.
Indeed it is, jarlath. In the meantime, a 7" vinyl version of 'Falling Down' is to be released on May 5th, with 'Yesterday is Here' on the flipside (not featured on the album):
Wow, so I gave it a second chance, and I must admit...it's even worse than before. An abysmal, soul-less wreck. It's fine that she doesn't capture the spirit of Waits. The problem is that the songs don't deliver the feeling of the lyrics...or any feeling really. Weak.Like Enya somehow watered down. "Anywhere I Lay My Head" is reminiscent of the soundtrack to a commercial for Herpes medication (you know, the ones with lots of sunlight and fresh, smiling people enjoying tire swing rides) or perhaps fiber.
"Waits gave the project his blessing, however. "I sent him some of the early, early recordings," Johansson told journalists at a press conference yesterday, "and he said, 'Go ahead.'"I've heard he's very pleased."
wow. i finally gave it a go.. and i have to say it is worse than i expected! i heard her summertime cover, and while rather soul-less, it was at least sultry and didn't grate on the ears.
on these tom waits tracks, not only is her voice completely devoid of character and personality, i can't figure out if she's singing or talking. musashi is completely right, does not capture the spirit of tom waits at all!
my summary: like tom waits done on karaoke by a drunk fangirl with a drum machine.
(to be honest, i never really understood how someone, who is not a musician, would have the audacity to cover an artist she claims to truly respect?)
lamp: i read somewhere, been trying to desperately find the link, about how tom waits feels indifferent to the covers and wasn't going to listen to it. a direct quote, but i can't find it anymore.
I'm with musashi. I think it's awful Click the name above to read my blog entry on why. It's not a question of comparing her to Waits (which in fairness is unavoidable - she is singing songs written by the man), it's just that they've made it all sound so formulaic. Full blog here: http://brensshorts.blogspot.com/2008/04/scarlett-johanssons-tom-waits-album.html
I just listened to it and... it is horrible! What a disaster! I would have never thought someone could butcher T. Waits' songs this way> I am not saying that bc I think no one could/should cover his songs, quite the opposite, and I am completely for adapting songs to our own character, soul, etc.But here: no soul, a horrible sound (electronic, plain), a voice that would rather giving the time on a computer, no real adaptation - melodies are the same, no nuances -, and so much more. I am rather surprised to see some liking it but hey, cool with me. I know I will never try to hear that again. Had enough...
14 comments:
I love the 'Falling Down' cover - it has a ragged elegance. ;)
Bloody 'ell - now I've heard it with half-decent sound quality I'm sold.
Some more for your collection Dr Pod?
Indeed it is, jarlath. In the meantime, a 7" vinyl version of 'Falling Down' is to be released on May 5th, with 'Yesterday is Here' on the flipside (not featured on the album):
http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProduct
Details.do?ctx=221;2;65;-1&sku=799449
Wow, so I gave it a second chance, and I must admit...it's even worse than before. An abysmal, soul-less wreck. It's fine that she doesn't capture the spirit of Waits. The problem is that the songs don't deliver the feeling of the lyrics...or any feeling really. Weak.Like Enya somehow watered down. "Anywhere I Lay My Head" is reminiscent of the soundtrack to a commercial for Herpes medication (you know, the ones with lots of sunlight and fresh, smiling people enjoying tire swing rides) or perhaps fiber.
i still dont feel any enya vibes...but that's cool, i wouldn't want to.
Her voice sounds the same on every track of this album - she is an actress but she doesnt know how to express emotions.
I have the same problem while watching her movies. She plays the same character since "Lost in translation".
Though the lirycs are great, you cant really hear them and here voice is so boring and plain that it makes you sleep.
"Waits gave the project his blessing, however. "I sent him some of the early, early recordings," Johansson told journalists at a press conference yesterday, "and he said, 'Go ahead.'"I've heard he's very pleased."
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/48673-scarlett-johansson-album-has-tracklist-david-bowie
wow. i finally gave it a go.. and i have to say it is worse than i expected! i heard her summertime cover, and while rather soul-less, it was at least sultry and didn't grate on the ears.
on these tom waits tracks, not only is her voice completely devoid of character and personality, i can't figure out if she's singing or talking. musashi is completely right, does not capture the spirit of tom waits at all!
my summary: like tom waits done on karaoke by a drunk fangirl with a drum machine.
(to be honest, i never really understood how someone, who is not a musician, would have the audacity to cover an artist she claims to truly respect?)
lamp: i read somewhere, been trying to desperately find the link, about how tom waits feels indifferent to the covers and wasn't going to listen to it. a direct quote, but i can't find it anymore.
I'm sorry. This is pretty horrible.
Mimi-I totally agree:
"my summary: like tom waits done on karaoke by a drunk fangirl with a drum machine."
I'm with musashi. I think it's awful Click the name above to read my blog entry on why. It's not a question of comparing her to Waits (which in fairness is unavoidable - she is singing songs written by the man), it's just that they've made it all sound so formulaic. Full blog here: http://brensshorts.blogspot.com/2008/04/scarlett-johanssons-tom-waits-album.html
Rgds
Bren
I just listened to it and... it is horrible! What a disaster! I would have never thought someone could butcher T. Waits' songs this way> I am not saying that bc I think no one could/should cover his songs, quite the opposite, and I am completely for adapting songs to our own character, soul, etc.But here: no soul, a horrible sound (electronic, plain), a voice that would rather giving the time on a computer, no real adaptation - melodies are the same, no nuances -, and so much more. I am rather surprised to see some liking it but hey, cool with me. I know I will never try to hear that again. Had enough...
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