Zooey’s winning the battle of the singing actresses, but while Scarlett doesn’t have strong a voice, she does look a little more comfortable fronting her extensive, shape-shifting backing band. A little more comfortable, mind you. The highlights of the hoarse whisperer’s in-studio Session are a Bowie-free “Falling Down” and Anywhere I Lay My Head‘s title track. She also does a Q&A, answering questions about Bowie and Waits and whether it’s more frightening to act or sing. You can likely guess what she’ll say for each question before watching her answer them, but the thing is, you do get to watch her answering them. Which isn’t too difficult.
“Falling Down”
“Anywhere I Lay My Head”
The backing band sounds good (nice beard, drummer and decent sunglasses, banjo guy) and Scarlett sounds like Scarlett. She seems most in a comfort zone on “Falling Down,” and really belts it out. Here she is talking about Tom’s thoughts on the project.
The rest is over here. No sign of Sitek.
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I don’t know if it’s my computer but all three videos stutter very bad.
Am I the only one who chuckled immaturely at the headline?
Is it just me, or does the title sound like some horrific tabloid headline about the latest sex tape scandal?
That was GOD FUCKING AWFUL.
I’ll tell my little brother I found his frog.
I dont think I could ever sing that low.
That was painful…I don’t know how to describe it…a dying animal? Anyway, I just made myself feel better, I got 12th row for the new Tom Waits tour in St.Louis!
makes nico sound like aretha franklin
Turn the volume all the way down and just look at her. It is much better that way.
Jesus, people. I think there’s a lot of hating on Scarlett simply because of who she is. No, she’s not going to be winning American Idol any time soon. But she’s no worse than the singers from, say, Beach House or Broadcast. And neither of those bands writes songs as well as Tom Waits does. So what’s the big deal? You can’t stand to see someone who has more than one talent?
could she look any less interested? honestly this is hard enough to listen to.
could she look any less interested? honestly this is hard enough to listen to let alone watch.
She needs to just stop.
If she had written the songs we could talk about her average singing in a constructive way. But she didn’t. If she wasn’t an actress she wouldn’t be on Stereogum and that’s why you have to hold the work to a higher standard (though this fails on the low standards as well).
She just tromps on, despite kinda sucking, and people not feeling it, and most people treating her singing with indifference or fingerpointing. So is she a brave little soldier, or slightly insane? (hint: neither is conducive to an actual singing career getting off the ground.) These types of projects are the musical equivalent of stunt casting. Hate to get all Simon Cowell on you, but it’s indulgent, and a train wreck.
“…more than one talent”
I think referring to her singing as a “talent” belittles the idea of what being talented is.
um, since when is singing well NOT a talent?
Chan Marshall.. . Leah Hayes. .
I love this!
way to ruin my favorite tom waits song, shitbag
now all i’ll ever hear is the low dronings of someone to bored to care.
i’m sure ennui is really attractive to some people, but not me.
Hey, I already said I don’t think she’s a great singer. (I think she’s passable.) My point was that being a great (or even good) singer is usually not a prerequisite for adoration by indie-blog snobs. I mean, have you ever taken a really good listen to Leslie Feist? (And before you start in about how at least Feist writes her own songs, take a look at the credits of that iPod jingle everyone loves so much.)
Another point to consider is that maybe we’re all a little too attached to Tom Waits and his own performances to let anyone else sing them, especially someone with no musical track record of her own apart from once appearing on-stage with the Jesus and Mary Chain. Maybe no one who isn’t named “Tom Waits” should be singing Tom Waits songs?
what a waste of a great band.
true dat. keep the band, lose the singer. she is quite good at the inaudible sleigh bells though. on a side note, her looks are extremely overrated. not that it matters.. jus saying
I think you’re missing the point Johnnyboy.
You ask whether or not we are being too harsh on her because she’s famous. I ask the opposite; would we even give a shit about these recordings if she unknown? If it was truly amazing, maybe yes. But taken objectively, her singing was average/below-average at best.
Ignored if not famous, but scorned (and rightfully so) because she is.
two things:
1) the part where she picks up the bells on falling down (2:15) and
2) why does she need a music stand?
“No, she’s not going to be winning American Idol any time soon. But she’s no worse than the singers from, say, Beach House or Broadcast.”
Pretty sure Victoria from Beach House is a better singer than anyone who’s ever been on American Idol.
“Pretty sure Victoria from Beach House is a better singer than anyone who’s ever been on American Idol.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCalNw4wSjs
And while I’m on the subject: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KFQbZMO7fg
actually, that wasn’t quite as horrible as I thought it’d be. The band was actually pretty pretty good. a couple of ‘em look a little like john and ray from deer tick and castanets. weird.
its like…she doesnt know what to do wit her hands.
There is a terrible, terrible response to this comment.
But nope. Not gonna say it. Not gonna say a word.
I don’t know, I find something strangely appealing about her voice. I don’t think I would buy the record though.
I THINK SHE IS HOT
HAHAHAA
OK
SO I THINK THE MUSIC IT’S ACTUALLY QUITE GOOD
AND SHE’S CORKY DOESN’T REALLY SING AMAZINGLY BUT
SHE’S GOT AN INTERESTING VOICE
I LIKE IT.
pitchy. songs ok tho.
The non-bearded drummer and the guitar player are from Celebration, no? A couple of the other guys look familiar as well. Anyone?
Maybe it’s just me, but she totally sounds like the guy from Hootie and the Blowfish on “Anywhere I Lay My Head”.
Maybe it’s just me, but she totally sounds like the guy from Hootie and the Blowfish on “Anywhere I Lay My Head”.
This is a forgiveable performance.. Scarjo’s a so-so singer, but I guess that limited ranged voice reminiscent of Nico gives a gruffy textured effect to the woozy, dreamy sonicscape of the band. Interesting!
The only reason these videos are getting any play is that scarjo is hot as hell. Awful sound. I totally agree with turning the vol down and just watching.
i watched three seconds of this and i think i lost my hearing for the rest of the day.
and i did try to watch them later witha lower volume. but for some reason i couldnt stand her voice..and uninterestedness
Her voice is distinctive and adequate without being showy, but the arrangements are actually the standout.
at the very least, she has great tits.
oh very mature.
I’M STUNNED!!!
(n not in the good way)
I think Zooey is much hotter. This is one girl that I don’t know why everyone thinks she is so hot. Her voice is a man’s
so much hating. i liked it. wish i could sing even that well. gutsy for steppin’ out…..i like tom waits but he doesn’t exactly sound like pavarotti.