Album of the Week #10: "Ringleader of the Tormentors" by Morrissey

John

I haven't heard this myself but I bought the single and it was very good. Anyone got any opinions on this?

HarryHoudini

I've listened to this at least twice a day for the past couple of weeks. Its a little too early to say but I reckon this could be his best work post smiths.
He's in fine form on this album. Tracks 1 to 7 are amazing.

DerekD Goldfish

Its a good albums probably even a very good album better than his last few anyway. I dont think its his best post smiths work on a few tracks the lyrics are slightly naff and the music is nothing new. A good indie pop album but certinaly not an all time classic.

judas101

just got it today.

great stuff me thinks. probly his best.

love the first track especially.

any opinions?

EDIT by John2: Just moved this into the already existing thread, no need to make multiple threads

Karlusss

I think it's alright. It's not as good overall as You Are The Quarry and it's definitely nothing on the first two (or Smiths, jesus), but definitely listenable and worth buying.

It sounds like a coherent full album, which is great because Maladjusted and Southpaw Grammar didn't.

nlgbbbblth

Karlusss wrote:

I think it's alright. It's not as good overall as You Are The Quarry and it's definitely nothing on the first two (or Smiths, jesus), but definitely listenable and worth buying.

It sounds like a coherent full album, which is great because Maladjusted and Southpaw Grammar didn't.

I find it distinctly average.
You Are The Quarry and Maladjusted are similarly underwhelming records.

Southpaw Grammar remains Morrissey's finest solo record. I know I'm very much in the minority when I say that but once it gets under your skin it's fantastic.

Karlusss

You Are The Quarry is not underwhelming, will you goway out of that. Especially not in comparison with Southpaw Grammar. There's some absolute crackers on it, Irish Blood English Heart, I Have Forgiven Jesus, that's stuff that matched nowhere but the first record.

John

You are the Quarry is a good album but it's very patchy. Some great tracks and some that I just have to skip. I got Ringleader... yesterday, listened to it a couple of times and so far I think it's better overall than You are the Quarry but the great tracks on You are the Quarry are still better. If you get my meaning. I'm with nlgbbbblth as regards Southpaw Grammar, totally underrated Morrissey album.

judas101

defo better than you are the quarry imo

Atrocity

Very good album, his voice sounds better than on the last album. The album as a whole is better than You Are The Quarry, even though it takes a few full listens to get into. I like the way he sounds happy and he's clearly enjoying himself.

judas101

Atrocity wrote:

I like the way he sounds happy and he's clearly enjoying himself.

true.

it must be all the "doing it" he's now apparently doing

blu_sonic

finally we've come to the master, after all he other album's of the week we've come to a true album of the week (imo)

I've bought the album (and special edition version) along with both versions of the single. the B-sides are very good, slightly better than the previous b-sides from YATQ (bar don't make fun of daddy's voice)

The album kicks off with (imo) its best track, heavier sound than before and Morrissey at his most loating of current american affairs (they don't deserve a capital A, lol). the album is steady from there on in, Its the type of album that people will find a favorite track and through that will herald it as his best work.

I think its about 3rd,
1.Vauxhal And I
2.You Are The Quarry
3.ROTT/Maladjusted (i know Maladjusted was panned but I like it)

All in all I think the Moz "blow in's" will really love it but the "old school" Moz fans will be a little less overwhelmed by it.

9/10 IMO

Atrocity

yeah Vauxhall and I is the best for sure

buzzerbuckley

album but lacks a bit of warmth.

Southpaw grammar is his worst by far as everyone bar those two knows.

viva hate is by far his best.

1 Viva Hate
2Vauxhall and I
3 You are the Quarry
4 Ringleader of the tormentors
5Malajusted
6 Your Arsenal
7Kill Uncle
8 Southpaw Grammar

nlgbbbblth

boards.ie Morrissey LP poll here.

buzzerbuckley

Online polls with a handfull of votes are worthless. Just give your mates a ring and you go from bottom to top in a jiffy !:D

Southpaw is not rubbish dont get me wrong has about 4 really good songs on it but there are only a handfull of songs and a few are the worst Morrissey has ever written, such as Dagenham dave, i could say more but you get the general idea.

RE*AC*TOR

Ringleader is not as instantly likeable as Quarry, but it is growing on me steadily.

I distinctly don't like the guitar intro to "You have killed me". It sounds too much like The Seahorses circa '97 (?). Which is something I'd rather forget. Its a vibe I get at a few stages through the album.

I think its too soon to have this as an album of the week. It needs time to digest. The Queen is Dead would be more suited to discussion.

*edit* - ok, I have just realised that Tony Visconti produced both Ringleader and The Seahorses LP Do It Yourself. That's why I'm getting that vibe. I hate that Seahorses album.

blu_sonic

Vauxhaul and I would have been the perfect choice

comet

After the first listen or two I thought the album was poor to average tbh and was very dissappointed. It has grown on me since but its definitely not one of his best solo albums but he's had some poor ones so its not his worst. YATQ was an album with much stronger songs i think, there's no killer track on this album. I can't see myself listening to this much more again after i've seen him live tonight. He's playing 7 songs from it in his live set which concentrates mostly on ROTT and YATQ.

Baggie666

As an old and long time fan of Morrissey, I think it's only after you hear the music live that you realise how much passion are in the lyrics. It all comes together in the sound, movements and the crowd atmosphere off a gig.
Some of YATQ did not appeal to me instantly, but after the point gig it kinda fell into place. But I must say I'm really enjoying Ringleader. Hopefully after the gig on Sunday, it'll be even more appealing

blu_sonic

I saw him last night, the album sound amazing live the band are well tuned to the new ones, Jesus he looked good, the sound was great, Morrissey you have relieved me of my heart, once again

Jonny Arson

Finally got my hands on a copy. I like the the album but I don't love it. It has grown on me since my first listen though. I'd absolutely agree with some of the comments about the album being more consistent than YATQ ableit lacking more killer single type tracks. No doubt to me that Morrissey sounds more happy and confortable with himself and his music in general which is great to know. If I was to rate the album I'd give it 7.5/10. I still prefer YATQ though but Morrissey can do no wrong in my eyes!

blu_sonic

its weird the album sounds better after seeing him do it live, life is a pigsty is his solo how soon is now

John

blu_sonic wrote:

its weird the album sounds better after seeing him do it live, life is a pigsty is his solo how soon is now

I totally agree. That song was the highlight of the gig for me.

comet

Yeah was going to post the same comment, the new songs sounded much better live alright.

Peter Collins

John2 wrote:

You are the Quarry is a good album but it's very patchy. Some great tracks and some that I just have to skip. I got Ringleader... yesterday, listened to it a couple of times and so far I think it's better overall than You are the Quarry but the great tracks on You are the Quarry are still better. If you get my meaning. I'm with nlgbbbblth as regards Southpaw Grammar, totally underrated Morrissey album.

Southpaw Grammar is a fantastic album. The production is not great but the songs are.

"Reader meet Author" is as good as anything he's done since

P.S. New album is fantastic too - a must buy for any fan

blu_sonic

Southpaw is good, boy racer and dag dave are shaken though endearing. Its vastly over produced Morrissey shouldn't do 10 min tunes, the songs (b sides) are great too, Black eyed susan anyone?

Peter Collins

He was asked in an interview why he did those two 10min+ songs and he said he forgot to turn off the tape

blu_sonic

lol, a very Morrissey responce

jonny68

I must be the only fan of Indie Music who thinks Morrissey is vastly overated big time

munkeehaven

go see him live and i bet you will certainly be converted

blu_sonic

I was just about to post that^.

Well if your not into Moz what are you into? its just a lotof indie music is influenced by him in someway

Valmont

I've never seen Morrissey live but I really like him. Vauxhall and I would be my favourite by far, followed by Ringleader of the Tormenters, and I really dislike You are the Quarry. "America...blah blah blah" That song is just so bad. I've never heard any of the other ones so I can't pass judgement on them.

Dudess

Don't drag up an almost three-year-old thread. Start a new Morrissey thread if you like.