March 19, 2008

I was slightly peeved when I read that Scarlet Johansson is making a much-publicised foray into music, and- of all damned things- largely covering Tom Waits on her debut album. Sure, like any female the peev-age may stem from the pang of defensiveness any female feels when presented with the buxom beauty and her husky tones not to mention the fact that SHE’S DATING RYAN FREAKIN REYNOLDS, ARGFKLSDFHIEH YOU VILE TEMPTRESS, YOU’VE GOT A DIRTY, WHORISH MOUTH!! But I’m mostly peeved cos I’m really unsure how the crossover from acting into music is made so unquestionably smooth both by the labels that lure actors into recording contracts, and the audiences that so often- warmly receive them. Case-in-point? Juliette And The Licks. Granted, that girl is a bottle rocket (albeit a bottle rocket who seems to be taking fashion tips from her mentally challenged character from The Other Sister) who I’d give my left leg to party with and she can act really, really well, but her band is mostly balls. If the music Gods dealt out any kind of justice, she’d probably be entertaining drunken college kids in 200 capacity venues across the States and underappreciated acts like The Lawrence Arms would be talking to Kyle and Jackie O about their impending Australian tour (am enjoying imagining Brendan Kelly to be the first man to backhand Kyle Sandilands). Then again Larry Arms didn’t slay in one of the great movies ever- Old School. WE’RE GOING STREAAAKKKINNGG!!! Onto the news….