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Angered by the Times review of this album I’m going to give it a go myself. Even though it’s almost impossible to review an album as far left-field as this one. Much has been said about whether or not Miss. Johansson can actually sing or not but I personally think it matters not. The production of this album has a very layered, over-the-top, lush feel to it which very much drowns out Scarlett’s vocals. It all sounds very Cocteau Twins.

For those that don’t know this album consists of ten Tom Waits covers (who I’ve never really listened to before, so I can’t draw comparisons) and one original track. The album is produced by David Steik and features backing vocals from the legendary David Bowie on “Falling Down” and “Fannin’ Street”.

The album begins with “Fawn” - a jazzy Wurlitzer driven number which is complimented by overdriven guitar chords. There are no vocals so the song instead builds into a brass solo which chugs the track along into the first real opening number “Town With No Cheer”. Scarlett’s vocals kick in immediately amidst a delayed guitar and tinkling piano riff.

Those that have criticised Johansson’s vocals will instantly have a field day as her warblings are pushed distinctly far back into the mix, almost becoming an ambient element. For me the vocals lack expression but it’s hard to convey without listening to the songs themselves how well that works. Given the placement of the vocals in the mix it’s almost like you have to search for them and it gives the music so much ambient depth. I could imagine listening to this album at 4AM in bed on a sleepless night.

The brass returns for “Town With No Cheer” and the song is slowly driven along with a huge reverberated drum beat which continues into “Falling Down”, a much more upbeat sounding track. David Bowie provides backing vocals as a folk guitar riff fills out the mix and a xylophone completes the stereo spectrum.

Title track “Anywhere I Lay My Head” begins with an interesting percussion loop as an organ compliments Scarlett’s now customary drowned vocal performance. She sings “My head is spinning around, my heart is in my shoes, yeah // I went to set the Thames on fire, now I must come back down”. The brass section returns to support the chorus and the song is broken apart by an unsettling yet hummable guitar solo.

“Fannin’ Street” again contains the vocal talents of David Bowie upon on a backing of lucious synthesized strings. Again Bowies complimentary vocals become the highlight of this track.

“Song For Jo” asks “Do you remember when we fell asleep on the bathroom floor?” and begins with an uncomfortable sounding reversed piano riff. The drums are much tighter in this track but the huge soundscapes are continually present and an acoustic guitar is used here to give even bigger presence.

“Green Grass” has a slight air of Dixie Chicks meets Danny Elfman to it while “I Wish I Was In New Orleans” has an almost uncomforting lullaby feel to it.

Closing with “I Don’t Want To Grow Up”, “No One Knows I’m Gone” and “Who Are You?”, producer Steik makes use of a distorted bassline to provide an uncomfortable bubbly low-end to the tracks.

While Anywhere I Lay My Head rarely moves away from it’s original form I do think that the album has enough charm and character to warrant a listen and while it won’t be everyones cup of tea no one can take the plaudits away from producer Steik who has created an unusual masterpiece.

Sure, the plaudits don’t neccessarily lie with Scarlett Johansson, but, as far as gorgeous actress’ making albums go - this could have been so much worse.

7/10.

• http://www.scarlettalbum.com/

The video for “Falling Down”: