Scarlett Johansson
“ANYWHERE I LAY MY HEAD”
RATING: 2 EXCLAMATION POINTS
Who didn’t snicker when it was announced that overexposed actress Scarlett Johansson was going to record an album of Tom Waits songs? Well, “Anywhere I Lay My Head” is not bad. But that doesn’t mean it has anything to do with Scarlett Johansson. First off, Scarlett can’t sing. She’s got this flat, droning voice, sort of like a computer imitating human sound. Producer David Sitek (of Brooklyn band “TV On The Radio”) wisely decides to label this a style, calling it “Tinkerbell on cough syrup.” He then buries Tinkerbell in a swirl of loud instruments that puts an emphasis on music, not singer. [LARRY AYDLETTE, COX NEWS SERVICE]
Dresden Dolls
“NO, VIRGINIA …”
RATING: 2 1/2 EXCLAMATION POINTS
“No, Virginia …” is a clutter of B sides, curios and leftovers. A few songs were recorded during the sessions for the last Dresden Dolls album, “Yes, Virginia …”, while others have a recent provenance. With the exception of one pointed cover, the Psychedelic Furs tune “Pretty in Pink,” all are originals. The turbulent choruses, allusive wordplay and pounding piano interludes faithfully hew to the self-defined subgenre Brechtian-punk cabaret. [NATE CHINEN, NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE]
Bun B
“II TRILL”
RATING: 2 1/2 EXCLAMATION POINTS
Bun B (born Bernard Freeman) has been a force in Texas hip-hop since he and Pimp C started UGK (Underground Kingz) in the late 1980s. UGK helped define the “dirty South” variant of gangsta rap as a realm of alpha males, available women, candy-painted cars, cough syrup, threats, alliances and wild club nights. Pimp C’s death last year, from an accidental overdose of codeine syrup, has a sobering effect on “II Trill,” Bun B’s second solo album. The tracks on “II Trill” are brawnier and slicker than before. The minor chords are pumped up with reverb and orchestral heft (though the horns and strings are synthesized), and the songs are full of pop vocal melodies, like the Jamaican singer Sean Kingston’s harmony choruses in “That’s Gangsta.” [JON PARELES, NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE]
