Ringleader Of The Tormentors
by Morrissey
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 105 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 105
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 105
  3. Negative: 9 out of 105

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  1. RickR
    Apr 6, 2006
    6
    After all the hype around this album, I couldn't help but feel extremely disappointed. Visconti's production on this album is awful. It seemed on '...Quarry' that Morrissey's sound was expanding, but in almost every single song on 'Ringleader Of The Tormentors', Visconti seems to have just done a cut-and-paste job with Morrissey's vocals. I would After all the hype around this album, I couldn't help but feel extremely disappointed. Visconti's production on this album is awful. It seemed on '...Quarry' that Morrissey's sound was expanding, but in almost every single song on 'Ringleader Of The Tormentors', Visconti seems to have just done a cut-and-paste job with Morrissey's vocals. I would love to have seen what Jerry Finn could have done with this new material, because most of the new material is extremely strong - it just doesnt have the kick it should due to the tragic production.… Expand
  2. sam
    Apr 5, 2006
    5
    might have to give this a few listens before it turns from average to good! Thourghly enjoyed his last outing which made me buy this but i think this just wont want me to keep listening!!
  3. Matt
    Apr 11, 2006
    5
    The arrangements seem strangely dated, undermining his sometimes good lyrics.
  4. ERNIEG
    Apr 10, 2006
    5
    Morrissey's voice is out of range in You have killed me. The fact he has become entirely too political about the country he adopted is unnecessary. First track is similiar to Maladjusted and Teachers are afraid. Boz's guitarship requires expansion limiting any innovation to new material. YOTQ and V&I are the flagship of Moz.
  5. PeterPan
    Apr 6, 2006
    4
    Definitely the worst Morrissey album since Southpaw. Totally forgettable (ecept for Life Is A Pigsty). I am truly disappointed!
  6. TomB.
    Apr 6, 2006
    4
    Very, very bland. This isn't even in the top half of his solo output, and is so far removed from Smiths' greatness I may even give Marr's solo stuff another listen.
  7. thetrumpet
    Dec 18, 2006
    4
    very poor,awful lyrics,2 or 3 decent songs,unless you worship him dont waste your money,at least its not as bad as kill uncle tho,needs another 7 years off
  8. smithsgirl
    Apr 12, 2006
    5
    As a diehard Smiths/Morrissey fan, I can't believe what I'm about to say, but here goes! I find the whole album overblown and overproduced. Bland, in fact. I've given it plenty of time; repeated listens do nothing for me. The strongest track is probably 'You Have Killed Me'. And yes, I do feel sad that the album is not for me. It feels sorta deceitful :((
  9. JasonA
    May 4, 2006
    6
    Better than YATQ but I'd say Morrissey's glory days are over. The first half drags but then it picks up. The last 5 tracks or so remind me of Vauxhall and I. I've been a huge fan since the late 80's so I'll keep buying the albums. This album is worth picking up for already eastablished fans but I doubt it'll make any new converts.

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Most Discussed Album of 2006
93
#93 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. Rolling Stone
    70
    You Are The Quarry... was Morrissey's strongest album in years, but Ringleader reframes it as mere foreplay. [6 Apr 2006, p.62]
  2. The Guardian
    90
    Some of his most impressive songs in years.
    Read full review
  3. NOW Magazine
    40
    Mostly, though, it's the usual whining about his tortured life as as a once-celebrated pop star and being unloved in a harsh world, but with fewer droll song titles and clever couplets.
    Read full review
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