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. Alfie18
    Feb 6, 2023
    8
    More mixed than his previous album but still his fantastic vocals remain. You Have Killed Me and Life Is A Pigsty are the standouts to me.
  2. adpirtle
    Aug 1, 2014
    8
    Morrissey gets (sometimes uncomfortably) personal in Ringleader of the Tormentors, which makes it a special album for that fact alone. Tony Visconti's capable production gives a gentler feel to You Are the Quarry's follow-up. Make no mistake - there is filler here, but it's well done filler, certainly nothing worth skipping over to get to the next terrific track (and there are lots of those).
  3. [Anonymous]
    Dec 21, 2006
    10
    since its release in april it has stayed at the top of the pile. there is no question morrissey remains as the best of 2006. only a couple can compete. this release improves after every play.
  4. 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
  5. NoelE
    Oct 16, 2006
    9
    9 for this reason only: if you get the b-sides, right, and then delete some of the crap songs off the LP ("in the future when al's well" boring!and that dull "through these streets i ran" or whatever, terrible!) and replace them with the ACE b-sides and make a nice lil' playlist with 'em n your iPod, the album is FANTASTIC. Why does he do that? put these clunkers on the LP 9 for this reason only: if you get the b-sides, right, and then delete some of the crap songs off the LP ("in the future when al's well" boring!and that dull "through these streets i ran" or whatever, terrible!) and replace them with the ACE b-sides and make a nice lil' playlist with 'em n your iPod, the album is FANTASTIC. Why does he do that? put these clunkers on the LP and then crank out like, five or six STUNNING b-sides in a pop. anyway, this mix-n-match Mozz has made me appreciate the really good 'uns even more. really amazing considerin how old 'e is! ha, just kiddin geez - keep up the goood work and glad you're finally gettin' some. ;-) about damned time.… Expand
  6. JonathanS
    Aug 11, 2006
    10
    Morrissey has done it again!
  7. joseba
    Jul 14, 2006
    10
    great album!
  8. NiiloK
    Jul 9, 2006
    9
    This album is a story. The Lesson for ethic, humanistic and life for itself. Morrissey tells what he knows best. The lyrics and child chorus and all the elements of his music makes him so unique. He tolds us how deep life can go, but there is still hope. "You are the quarry" is still his best work.
  9. SeamusS
    May 30, 2006
    10
    I'm going to honestly try to ween myself off of giving everything I like a ten; but after repeated listens, this album has sunk in to me to be one of Morrissey's most important and intimate albums. It does benifet that the album is produced by Tony Viscoti who adds a much needed kick in Morrissey's sonic rear, one that hasnt had arrangments this strong behind it since the I'm going to honestly try to ween myself off of giving everything I like a ten; but after repeated listens, this album has sunk in to me to be one of Morrissey's most important and intimate albums. It does benifet that the album is produced by Tony Viscoti who adds a much needed kick in Morrissey's sonic rear, one that hasnt had arrangments this strong behind it since the good old days of the Smiths.… Expand
  10. george
    May 26, 2006
    9
    Morrisey is streets ahead of a lot of your,contributors,many who sound unable to think for themselvesMorrisey is a true artist in a world,where the word artist is used by totally uncreative people..Moz is number 1 wordssmith and has played a major part,in moving conciousness forward,....Wake up listen to the man and throw your preconcieved ideas away,or get a proper brain..
  11. JohnR
    May 24, 2006
    10
    Morrissey at his best. I have been a fan for over twenty years but it did take me a few listens o get into this album. I am sure in years to come it will be seen as a masterpiece.
  12. NeilG
    May 23, 2006
    9
    Morriseey at his best. Beautiful production. Life is a Pigsty is a masterpiece.
  13. 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.
  14. PhilipS
    Apr 26, 2006
    7
    Although not as powerful as you are the Quarry, nor as memorable- it is a solid example to show that the talent of Moz isn't dead. This is probably his most emotionally charged album, but often the songs are so ridiculous, they are funny.... This is probably his second best album... but his talent is undesputable
  15. BS
    Apr 22, 2006
    9
    It goes without saying that I am a Smiths/Moz fan (let's face it, that's who buys this album ... and there's nothing wrong with that). Even as a fan, however, I grew tired of Morrissey releases after Bona Drag. Sure, I picked up You Are the Quarry and many of the songs grew on me, but for the most part I was disappointed. With this album, however, Moz has actually made me It goes without saying that I am a Smiths/Moz fan (let's face it, that's who buys this album ... and there's nothing wrong with that). Even as a fan, however, I grew tired of Morrissey releases after Bona Drag. Sure, I picked up You Are the Quarry and many of the songs grew on me, but for the most part I was disappointed. With this album, however, Moz has actually made me care about the lyrical content again. This is a different Morrissey, and the album can fairly be looked at as chapter 2 in the "Morrissey" character's life. The music is more daring too, and good. In a few words, less rockabilly, more orchestration. The album is less uneven than Quarry (not to suggest that it doesn't have a couple duds, but so did Viva Hate and Bona Drag) but, man, the high points are high. Plus, why haven't people been mentioning more often the clear impending death message. I hear this and assume he has terminal cancer or something.… Expand
  16. smithm
    Apr 21, 2006
    8
    Morriessey has a tendency toward the baroque and the macabre (derivations of the words kill and die occur often in his lyrics) and he has a wonderful sense of humor and the music is wonderfully dramatic. Perfect music for "feeling sorry for myself" days. This album will capture you one song at a time. "Life is a Pigsty" was my immediate favorite and then the others grew on me. If you are Morriessey has a tendency toward the baroque and the macabre (derivations of the words kill and die occur often in his lyrics) and he has a wonderful sense of humor and the music is wonderfully dramatic. Perfect music for "feeling sorry for myself" days. This album will capture you one song at a time. "Life is a Pigsty" was my immediate favorite and then the others grew on me. If you are a fan, then buy the album. If you new, then, I'll hate it until you've given it some time, then you'll love it.… Expand
  17. johnkilshawk
    Apr 21, 2006
    0
    Everyone knows the Mozfather has knocked a decent tune out in the last fifteen years. Gee Man get a life
  18. Cables
    Apr 18, 2006
    9
    His best solo work.
  19. shawn
    Apr 17, 2006
    10
    i find it pretty pathetic how artists link Pink are getting better ratings than morrissey... what the hell is wrong with you people? this album deserves at least a 9/10.
  20. BrandonM
    Apr 16, 2006
    9
    This album is a more solemn effort than 2004
  21. RICARDOl
    Apr 14, 2006
    8
    este es de los dicos mas trabajados para el maestro morrissey, reune piezas de sus trabajos anteriores, el mejor track es " life is pigsty", no siento que sea el mejor disco, no pasa a you are the quarry, pero es muy buen disco para moz
  22. GaryM.
    Apr 14, 2006
    8
    A must for any Morrissey (and The Smiths) fans. Certainly not his best, but still pretty good. Takes a couple of playbacks to get the feeling. What I discovered is a new Morrissey (lyrics, seems he is less subtle, when he means to be outspoken), but the same ol' loveable style (musicwise).
  23. lucidela
    Apr 13, 2006
    10
    better than his last album, and wonderfully produced. such tracks like "life is a pigsty" and "i will see you in far off places" capture the genius at work.
  24. Noel
    Apr 13, 2006
    10
    morrissey is GOD compared to the miserable music we hear thses days. i got what i expected from this album. he has never let me down.
  25. 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 :((
  26. ErnstS.L
    Apr 12, 2006
    8
    standard moz is above most standards. good record!
  27. WesS
    Apr 11, 2006
    10
    Quite possibly and probably his best.
  28. Matt
    Apr 11, 2006
    5
    The arrangements seem strangely dated, undermining his sometimes good lyrics.
  29. JamesM
    Apr 11, 2006
    10
    His best since 'Your Arsenal'. 'Dear God Please Help Me' is his best solo song yet, and maybe even his best song ever - fact!
  30. RennieJ
    Apr 10, 2006
    3
    Morrissey's lyrics have now slipped into the awful category. "Then you croak, it's no joke" "I look at life and it makes me puke," etc. This is truly terrible stuff. What happened to the poet that used to captivate us with his wonderful observations and phrases. Maladjusted, Quarry and this new one represent a kind of horrible trilogy of bad writing and exhaused inspiration. Morrissey's lyrics have now slipped into the awful category. "Then you croak, it's no joke" "I look at life and it makes me puke," etc. This is truly terrible stuff. What happened to the poet that used to captivate us with his wonderful observations and phrases. Maladjusted, Quarry and this new one represent a kind of horrible trilogy of bad writing and exhaused inspiration. Morrissey has now begun to tarnish a once great lyrical legacy.… Expand
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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
See all critic reviews »