The Deal: Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale of another actress trying to make it in the music world …
The Good: Johansson didn’t go the route of creating her own music instead opting for an album of Tom Waits songs. Her deep, sultry vocals are combined with simplistic music that stay true to the originals. She gets some help on backing vocals from David Bowie – she must be doing something right … The album contains one original – “Song for Jo” – which fits nicely with the rest. The album has a darker tone to it, so don’t expect something in the pop realm so often visited by the Hollywood types.
The Bad: The album was not created for the masses, but isn’t that the way it should be? She went with her heart and created an album of covers of music she likes, not what she thought other people would like. It may not sell millions, but I’d say mission accomplished.
The Verdict: Johansson has caught a lot of flack online from people trashing her, saying the songs are bad and her vocals are terrible. My question to them: Have you heard Tom Waits’ versions of the songs? I would guess that most who don’t like this album don’t like Waits either. Taken on its own, as someone who is not a fan of Waits’ gravely voice, I think she did the music justice. I also don’t think she’s trying to create a new career … her day job is safe.
This article appears in Jun 4-10, 2008.
