As already noted in this morning’s Tonight in Music post, Mudhoney release The Lucky Ones today. They celebrate with a 7 pm in-store at Easy Street Queen Anne.

Mudhoney The Lucky One (Sub Pop)

“I’m Now”

Scarlett Johansson Anywhere I Lay My Head (Atco)

Contrary to what I initially thought when I heard that ScarJo was going to release an album of Tom Waits covers, Anywhere I Lay My Head isn’t a trainwreck. A full CD review will be in tomorrow’s paper. Here’s a preview:

Releasing an album of Tom Waits covers is a hell of a way to make a debut as a singer. Waits, of course, is a highly regarded songwriter whose coarse, trademark voice doesn’t invite easy imitation. But on Anywhere I Lay My Head, actress turned songbird Scarlett Johansson and producer Dave Sitek (of TV on the Radio) creatively re-work some of Waits’ gems to deliver surprisingly pleasing results.

In “Town With No Cheer,” a defeated five-minute ballad about a dry ghost-town, Johansson tugs her voice as low as it will go, down to the pit of her diaphragm. It’s a voice worlds away from the image of a full-lipped, D-cupped sex symbol currently making headlines for becoming engaged to Hollywood’s boy B-list goofball Ryan Reynolds.

You can stream the whole album at www.scarlettalbum.com.

Islands Arm’s Way (Anti-/Rough Trade)

“Creeper” (via Pitchfork)

Islands will play Neumo’s Tuesday June 12.

Mates of State Re-Arrange Us (Barsuk)

“My Only Offer”

Mates of State play the Sasquatch! Festival Sunday, May 25. They’re also playing a free in-store at Sonic Boom Ballard on Tuesday, May 27. And if you really want to, see naked photos of the duo here, recently shot for an anti-fur PETA ad. (They’re safe for work, naughty bits are covered up.)

See what else is out today at Pause & Play.