Scarlett Johansson Streaming Tracks

I usually approach crossover artists with a bit of skepticism – after all, why would it occur to a dancer to become a singer, or a singer to become an actress? It seems like the kind of thing your friends would talk you into during a late night tequila session.

But despite my wet-towel mentality in the matter, what I’ve heard of actress-turned-songsmith Scarlett Johansson’s upcoming release, Anywhere I Lay My Head, definitely has my interest. Not so much candy-pop. Not so much.

Johansson’s label has given us a quick peek at six tracks of the album, which sounds somewhat like a dark, eloquent soundtrack, or a new, experimental art band that would open for the Polyphonic Spree. Johansson’s husky voice lays over instrumental work by various musicians of note, including fuzzy-headed wrecking ball Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I can give that a “yeah.”

The whole album features ten tracks consisting of Scarlett’s yummy renditions of some classic Tom Waits material. It also includes the original track, “Song For Jo,” penned by Scarlett herself, along with TV On The Radio’s David Andrew Sitek, whose production and instrumental chops also grace the release.

For a good listen, courtesy of Atco Records, click here, y’all. More info is also available at the album’s Web site and Myspace page.