User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Anywhere I Lay My Head
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Anywhere I Lay My Head Image
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 57 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut album by actress Scarlett Johansson was produced by TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek.

Top Track

Falling Down
I have come 500 miles Just to see a halo Come from St. Petersburg Scarlett and me Well I open my eyes I was blind as can be When you give a man... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
  1. Dot Music
    80
    Scarlett Johansson has proved herself as much a rock queen as a roll queen.
  2. The Guardian
    80
    You might wish there was more from Waits' 70s barfly period--what would Johansson have made of Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis?--but it's a measure of this album's surprising allure that you're left wanting more.
  3. PopMatters
    70
    There’s no in between for this one; it will go down as one of those love it or hate it records.
  4. cokemachineglow
    58
    Sitek’s technique is, successfully, fascinating and unexpected. But so many purposes and conceits, both avoided and embraced, collide over the course of the album’s eleven tracks that technique simply overwhelms melody and Johansson’s voice both, but mostly whatever it is about the song that Waits nailed to the wall in the first place.
  5. Prefix Magazine
    50
    Johansson simply lacks the intensity to stay afloat in Waits's whirlpools of ear-drummed madness.
  6. Slant Magazine
    50
    The album itself is kind of an afterthought; what its creation says metatextually about the artists responsible for it is more interesting than any of the music it contains.
  7. 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.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 8 out of 27
  1. 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 aboutI 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.… Expand
  2. spiderextreme
    May 22, 2008
    10
    Scarlett is a good singer!!
  4. 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.
  5. 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 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.… Expand
  6. 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 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?… Expand
  7. JamalaB.
    May 20, 2008
    3
    This is not Scarlett! This is the producers creating a self-indulgent album. Scarlett has a beautiful voice - but it is drowned in the This is not Scarlett! This is the producers creating a self-indulgent album. Scarlett has a beautiful voice - but it is drowned in the instrumentals. Someone obviously told her to sing that way - there's not an ounce of emotion. Bitterly disappointed, Scarlett ... hopefully next time, you'll sing for yourself.… Expand
  8. PaulC
    May 22, 2008
    0
    I couldn't make it past track five. This is some of the worst music I've heard in years. Scarlett's voice is an atonal I couldn't make it past track five. This is some of the worst music I've heard in years. Scarlett's voice is an atonal nightmare. There's no way any legitimate music critic should be giving this mess the kind of scores it's been getting. Absolutely horrible!… Expand

See all 27 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
89 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Lahai - Sampha
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »