Scarlett Johansson

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Scarlett Johansson, Pete Yorn “Break Up” on Record

Published September 8th, 2009 by Karen

photo credit: Sizzle42

We’re not sure why, but Scarlett Johansson is preparing to release another CD.

At this point, we almost respect the fact that she didn’t hang up her microphone after her widely panned debut album was released in 2008. That album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, was an oddball collection of Tom Waits cover songs.

Likely a more accessible collection, Johansson’s new album, Break Up, is a set of duets with…Pete Yorn. (A singer we kinda love/hate based on his absurd song about burritos, here.)

Yorn’s music is innocuous acoustic-based rock, so the good news is that this album will probably be easier to swallow (or easier to ignore) than Johansson’s deadpan Waits songs (not to mention her wholly unnecessary version of Jeff Buckley’s Continue reading »

"[...] a more accessible collection, Johansson’s new album, Break Up, is a set of duets with…Pete Yorn. (A singer we kinda love/hate based..."

Scarlett Johansson, Pete Yorn “Break Up” on Record | Music Vixen Blog

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NYC: Free Pete Yorn Concert, New Album and Scarlett Johansson Duet

Published June 16th, 2009 by Karen

ABOVE: “If you want a burrito/You can have another bite of mine.” Pete Yorn’s ode to love, burritos and frugality.

After last week’s successful in-store performance by alt-rock legends Sonic Youth, New York’s Apple Store in SoHo is ready to host another, slightly more low-key show tonight (Tuesday June 16) when singer-songwriter Pete Yorn drops by.

Known for hits such as “Strange Condition” and “Life on a Chain,” New Jersey-born Yorn will reportedly be performing songs from his latest album Back and Fouth. Guess that means we won’t get to hear him sing “Burrito”? Bummer. You can still watch the video above and laugh at the lyrics anyway.

In the past, the radio-friendly acoustic-rocker has recorded with producers normally associated with Avril Lavigne and Smashing Pumpkins, but his new disc finds him hitting the studio with the more credible Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley).

Yorn’s other upcoming project, Break Up, pairs him with love her/hate her actress/singer Scarlett Johansson (listen to the lead single “Relator“)

This is a free show, details and ticket info at the Apple events page.

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Scarlett Johansson Sings, Ruins a Jeff Buckley Song. We blame Bill Murray.

Published January 28th, 2009 by Karen

Oh, for crying out loud, will someone please take the microphone away from Scarlett Johansson?!

Sure, she’s pretty when she’s all dolled up with her bleached out hair and anemic complexion, but someone needs to stop telling this girl she can sing—because she cannot.
We could also argue that she’s a bad actress (um, Black Dahlia? Vicky Cristina Barcelona?), but we’ll save that for another time.

In this age of digitally corrected popstars singing like boring robots, there is almost something commendable about singing in public despite any discernable talent. Almost.

Last year, Johansson released her debut album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, a misguided collection of Tom Waits cover songs, whose only noteworthy trait was that David Bowie sang backing vocals on one of the songs. Of course, far be it from the Thin White Duke to turn down the request of a pretty young actress.

Now, Johansson is at it again with a cover of a Jeff Buckley song that will be included on the soundtrack of what is sure to be one of the most horrible chick flicks ever unleashed upon mankind: He’s Just Not That Into You. A movie based on a book that was inspired by a line from Sex & the City? Run. Run now. Continue reading »

"Cadillac records was a really gud movie! Dnt hate the playa hate the game! Its worth every minute of watchn! Hell yea"

Latonya adams

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Free Cadillac Records Soundtrack Downloads and Preview

Published December 5th, 2008 by Karen

Cadillac Records hits movie theaters nationwide today, and while we haven’t had a chance to see the movie yet, we know the Cadillac Records soundtrack download should be great! Or, at least, it could’ve been great…

Set in the 1950s, the movie Cadillac Records tells the story Leonard Chess, founder of the legendary Chess Records label that was home to artists such as Etta James, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry—just to name a few! With this many music legends all in one place, the music is sure to be out of this world.

Cadillac Records stars Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess and features Beyonce Knowles as Etta James, Mos Def as Chuck Berry, Cedric the Entertainer as blues legend Willie Dixon (see complete cast details here).

Unfortunately, the Cadillac Records movie soundtrack doesn’t feature the original versions of the songs by the real artists, it features the versions performed by the movie’s actors.

Ugh.

Beyonce is a fine singer, but we’d really rather hear the real Etta James sing “At Last”! Same goes for Mos Def’s attempt at singing Chuck Berry’s “No Particular Place to Go.”

We’re not really sure what Solange Knowles is doing on the Cadillac Records soundtrack downloads, but we’re pretty sure she’s only there because Beyonce produced the movie. Must be nice to have a celeb sister! Maybe Jessica Simpson will produce a movie for Ashlee,haha, oh wait, Jess’s movie career hasn’t exactly been golden (who actually watched Employee of the Month? Yeah, that’s what we thought…).

Do you like it when actors/musicians portray musicians in films? Or is it better to use recording of the real musicians instead of the actors?

We don’t want to judge this movie too much until we’ve actually seen it, but we have a feeling it would’ve been better if the actors didn’t sing. We’ll let you know what we think after we watch it!

To get you warmed up for the Cadillac Records, here’s a preview of some of the musicians portrayed in the movie—enjoy!

Free Cadillac Records Soundtrack downloads
Free Etta James downloads
Free Beyonce downloads
Free Chuck Berry downloads
Free Mos Def Downloads

Tracklisting for Cadillac Records movie soundtrack:
Disc One:
1. “I’m a Man” - Jeffrey Wright
2. “At Last” - Beyonce
3. “No Particular Place to Go” - Mos Def
4. “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” - Jeffrey Wright
5. “Once in a Lifetime” - Beyonce 6. “Let’s Take a Walk” - Raphael Saadiq
7. “6 O’Clock Blues” - Solange
8. “Nadine” - Mos Def
9. “The Sound” - Mary Mary
10. “Last Night” - Little Walter
11. “I’d Rather Go Blind” - Beyonce
12. “My Babe” - Columbus Short
13. “Bridging the Gap” - Nas featuring Olu Dara

Disc Two:
1. “Maybellene” - Mos Def
2. “Forty Days and Forty Nights” - Buddy Guy
3. “Trust in Me” - Beyonce
4. “Juke” - Kim Wilson
5. “Smokestack Lightnin’” - Eamonn Walker
6. “Promised Land” - Mos Def
7. “All I Could Do Was Cry” - Beyonce
8. “My Babe” - Elvis Presley
9. “I Can’t Be Satisfied” - Jeffrey Wright
10. “Come On” - Mos Def
11. “Country Blues” - Jeffrey Wright
12. “Evolution of a Man” - Q-Tip and Al Kapone
13. “Radio Station” - Terence Blanchard

Have you seen Cadillac Records? Is it worth checking out?
We want YOUR Cadillac Records movie reviews!
PLEASE leave a comment and tell us if you liked it or not!

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Scarlett Johansson Wedding a Publicity Stunt Because Her Album Stinks?

Published May 7th, 2008 by Karen

The announcement of Scarlett Johansson’s engagement to actor Ryan Reynolds is a happy occasion, we guess. But, we can’t help think the timing is just a little too Hollywood perfect.

News of the pale blond one’s betrothed status hit the web just as negative reviews of her album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, and lead single “Falling Down” mp3, began to emerge. There is also a boring video for the boring song, here.

Given that a large number of listeners have panned the inexplicable album of Tom Waits covers, maybe Reynolds popped the question just to make his girl feel better? Or to take some of the attention off of her horrible record and redirect it to her shiny new diamond ring?

Perhaps this engagement is merely a consolation prize for having released such a horrible album?

Then again, Johannson’s beau may not be the best judge of music—afterall, he was formerly engaged to Alanis Morissette, AKA, the most annoying female singer ever to sell a zillion albums. (Remember her Dave Coullier-bashing hit, “You Oughta Know” mp3? Ick.)

Anyway, you can see Scarlett’s lovely new engagement ring, here. Rumor has it that Beatle-spawn Stella McCartney wants to design Johansson’s wedding gown when the time comes.

If you like to look at trainwrecks, check out reviews and listen to Scarlett’s album here.

What Do You Think?
Is the announcement of Scarlett’s engagement meant to distract attention from her singing? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!

"Are you nuts? That album is fantastic, I've never heard something as original."

Sofie

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Scarlett Johansson Album Sucks More Than Ashlee Simpson? Wow.

Published April 24th, 2008 by Karen

Actress/singer (?)Scarlett Johansson’s debut album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, doesn’t officially hit shelves until May 20, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, you can hear it all now.

While there are places where you can (ahem, illegally) download the whole album, for a legal preview check the official site featuring clips of all eleven of the album’s tracks.

Or don’t bother.

On film, Johansson’s smoky rasp is typically on the border between being seductive and asthmatic. Unfortunately, as a singing voice, it’s less smoky jazz club and more Velvet Underground featuring Nico. Of course, that’s fine if you’re one of those people who pretends to admire Nico’s gruff monotone, but you’re only fooling yourself.

If you don’t already know the details on this project, it’s basically Johansson releasing an album of musician/actor Tom Waits songs. (She did co-author one track, “Song for Jo”.)

Yeah, we’re not sure who wants to hear this either. Maybe the indie-rock dorks who are stoked about Natalie Portman hooking up with obnoxious neo-folkie Devendra Banhart? Who knows.

And, we’re not usually quick to defend crumby pop-stars, but seriously, even Ashlee Simpson co-writes some of her own songs on her new album Bittersweet World. Her contributions are likely minimal compared to those of her songwriting team, and yes, those songs suck a lot of the time, but at least it’s an illusion of effort.
An album of cover songs is a cop-out. A sure-fire way to fail, but in a noble fashion.

If you’re going to do cover songs, it’s cool to pick a solid artist like Waits, but there’s nothing remotely fun or likable about this dirge of an album—it’s respectable, but scarcely enjoyable.

Tom Waits is a well-respected artist relegated to the fringe, and albums by actors are essentially novelty items to start with (watch as William Shatner sings “Rocket Man”)—so combining an actor with the overly novel idea of a cover song album is either brilliant or ridiculously alienating.

Guess we’ll find out when the album hits the charts (or doesn’t) next month.

Tell Us What You Think…

Who is a better singer: Scarlett or Ashlee? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!