Anywhere I Lay My Head [Digipak] by Scarlett Johansson

Much like her fellow young Hollywood bombshell Zooey Deschanel, who made an entirely credible indie rock album with acoustic hipster M. Ward as She and Him earlier in 2008, Scarlett Johansson chose to capitalize on her indie film credibility when releasing her debut album. Produced by David Andrew Sitek of TV On The Radio and featuring guest appearances from David Bowie (who sings backing vocals on two tracks) and members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Celebration, ANYWHERE I LAY MY HEAD consists of 10 songs by bohemian hero Tom Waits plus one Sitek-Johansson original, "Song For Jo." Johansson does not have a conventionally pretty voice, but her Nico-like delivery, all cool burnished tones and deadpan anti-emotion, has its charms; more importantly, it's a better fit to the hazy, vaguely psychedelic arrangements than a more traditional vocal instrument would be. Though albums by actors have a long history of being cringeworthy, ANYWHERE I LAY MY HEAD is a quirky but entirely credible covers set.