Scarlett Johansson - The Singer

Everyone knows that the journey from the silver screen to CD or MP3 is parlous. The trip has destroyed many a career. Just recently the general public has had to endure albums from Lindsey Lohan and Minnie Driver. These albums, no matter how good the actress or actor's voice, seem overproduced and boring. These performers add nothing to the musical canon because they're not willing to take artistic risks with their music.

Now, Scarlett Johansson embarks on this fitful path, but her itinerary is very different from say Hillary Duff. She has chosen to do Tom Waits covers. Interestingly enough, most people only know Waits's music through covers. For instance: "Jersey Girl," performed by Bruce Springsteen; "Downtown Train," performed by Rod Stewart; and "Ol' 55," performed by the Eagles. Johansson joins this list with the help of David Bowie and TV on the Radio producer Dave Sitek.

It is at this moment I desperately want to be a high-profile journalist for say Rolling Stone and nab an interview with Johansson. I want to ask her why she decided to do Waits covers and pour whisky and motor oil all over her voice. I want to ask her want she knows about the seedy dive bars and eerie figures Waits describes in his music. Finally, I want to ask her how she got David Bowie to sing on her record. I wouldn't ask these questions with hostility, after all I like the album. I've listened to Anywhere I Lay My Head three times now and find it's shadowy blues and jazz charming. Maybe like other actresses' efforts the album is overproduced, but at least it's doing something a little different. And Johansson, true to her roots, makes us believe she's experienced what she's singing about.

I am not saying Anywhere I Lay My Head is a great album, but Johansson has made it through her journey with dignity, which is more than you can say for Lindsey and the like.