Anywhere I Lay My Head
by Scarlett Johansson
  • Record Label: Atco
  • Release Date: May 20, 2008
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 57
  3. Negative: 15 out of 57

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  1. DejanS.
    Aug 20, 2008
    8
    Mix of Nico and Sonic Youth. Amazing! Perfect 4 lazy evening.
  2. DavidS.
    May 21, 2008
    8
    Strangely beautiful and haunting in a Nico-meets-80s-Synth-Pop kind of way. Does have its boring moments though.
  3. KevinC.
    May 20, 2008
    10
    look, I don't care what the reviewers say, this was a damn good album. just listen to it. trust me.
  4. BenL.
    May 20, 2008
    9
    The idea works. Proto Tom Waits for this generation. And it was successful. Tom Waits is still a force and all this album does is reaffirm that. The production is beautiful and enthralling. It shows of all the great qualities of the tangible parts of this album like Steik and the musicians while pulling back on the idea to have Scarlett sell the thing with her presence. Listen Closely.
  5. spiderextreme
    May 22, 2008
    10
    Scarlett is a good singer!!
  6. JoaoP.
    May 30, 2008
    10
    Amazing production, and fine enough vocals to make it an amazing album.
  7. JérômeN.
    Jun 20, 2008
    8
    Sure everything is not perfect, but the creativity of this album is impressive and deserves to be well rated. Furthermore, the overall atmosphere reminds me of productions like these of Mazzy Star, Cat Power, Cocteau Twins or This Mortal Coil, fact that I find rather refreshing, as really getting out of today's standards.
  8. EricS.
    Aug 12, 2008
    9
    Scarlett's voice just fits. it's not the best album of the year, but it was worth the shot.
  9. MichaelH.
    May 21, 2008
    7
    So much better than it should have been in every way. I'm pleasantly surprised to find myself hoping she'll do another album (hopefully with Mr. Sitek, again). Maybe some Bowie tunes next time?
  10. RichN.
    Jun 11, 2008
    10
    I really didn't expect to like this at all, let alone this much. Something in it just works.
  11. wards705
    Jun 5, 2008
    8
    Better than expected... beautiful instrumentation.
  12. AlexH
    Aug 1, 2008
    8
    I'm a Tom Waits fan and I checked out this album with the same cynical attitude a lot of people had, and I was very pleasantly surprised. Scarlett's voice is very nice and David Sitek gives further evidence that he's one of the best producers working today. The album alternately reminds me of Sinead O'Connor's version of 'Nothing Compares 2 U', and of a I'm a Tom Waits fan and I checked out this album with the same cynical attitude a lot of people had, and I was very pleasantly surprised. Scarlett's voice is very nice and David Sitek gives further evidence that he's one of the best producers working today. The album alternately reminds me of Sinead O'Connor's version of 'Nothing Compares 2 U', and of a music box playing in blizzard, and I mean both of those things as compliments. I think most of the haters probably don't like this style of music in the first place, and/or refuse to take it seriously because of who she is.… Expand
  13. CK
    May 22, 2008
    8
    I enjoyed it. This is not a pop album or commercial album by any means. This must be an album of love from Scarlett, because doing a goth version of Tom Waits' material is not something that the regular population would be attracted to. I applaud her for doing something she loves instead of just being another vapid pop star wannabe.
  14. MollyC.
    May 26, 2008
    9
    I was expecting to ironically listen to this. But it's much better than expected, in a buzzy, 90s way. Seems to me most people don't like it because of their expectations/bias against actors. Not life changing, but certainly a record that can be enjoyed more and more every listen.
  15. Ana
    May 31, 2008
    8
    I really enjoyed this album. There are some highlights, like "Falling Down", "I Wish I Was In New Orleans" and my personal favourite, "Song For Jo", which is the only original song on this album. It's worth to listen to this CD - just for these three tracks.
  16. ernis_v
    May 4, 2012
    10
    I know most critics aren't fond of this record, but for some reason, this is my favorite album of all times. There's something special about every song, and the feeling that I can relate to every bit is incredibly huge.
  17. abpplanetearth
    Sep 23, 2015
    9
    I had never heard Scarlett sing before. I'm not a huge Tom Waits fan, but find his stuff to be at least interesting most of the time (this is almost an entire Tom Waits cover album). I found this album to be very soothing, relaxing, and eerie. Scarlett's voice fits the mood of the album very well. Thumbs up!

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed Album of 2008
61
#61 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
  1. Q Magazine
    60
    The album is fine enough, undeniably modish and much better than you might anticipate. [June 2008, p.136]
  2. Mojo
    40
    Much of this album's re-booting of Waits' back pages in an ambient '80s style is fussy and forgettable. [June 2008, p.112]
  3. NOW Magazine
    20
    Sitek attempts to do Johansson (and us) a favour by burying her monotonous voice deep in the mix, but unfortunately, the musical support isn’t interesting enough to carry the album. Skip it.
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