Release of the Week: Ringleader of the Tormentors (Attack/Sanctuary)

Disclaimer: Yes, Morrissey is one of my favorite artists of all-time. Back in The Smiths, he carried me through highschool and continues to grow his presence in my record collection to this day. Yes, this makes me somewhat of a sap. Get over it.

This said, I can’t really comment on the new album yet because I was too tired to make my way 20 minutes across town to Tower Records to purchase the album at midnight and I don’t want to spoil the fun of opening a brand new album by purchasing it digitally so therefore I will have to wait! The new single, “You Have Killed Me”, is the stereotypical angsty pop Moz, comparing himself to film director Pier Paolo Pasolini, “who compellingly illustrated the downside of trawling the vias for a shag, when a bit of rough trade he picked up in Ostia ran him over with his own Alfa Romeo”. (Video 56k | 100k | 300k)

Curious to hear the whole album, especially after the handful of reviews I’ve read so far that concentrate so adamently on his open discussion of his romantic life. Even more interesting, legendary producer, Tony Visconti, best known for his work with T. Rex and David Bowie was brought on for Ringleader.

I’m impressed how Moz has gotten all shit together to get this album out in between turning down five million dollars for a Smiths reunion at this year’s Coachella, excluding Canada from his world tour as part of his stance against the slaughter of baby seals as he commented on in a statement on a fanzine, and being questioned recently by the FBI and British intelligence after speaking out against the American and British governments.

He stays busy!

Tracklisting (US):
1 I Will See You in Far off Places
2 Dear God Please Help Me
3 You Have Killed Me
4 The Youngest Was the Most Loved
5 In the Future When All’s Well
6 The Father Who Must Be Killed
7 Life Is a Pigsty
8 I’ll Never Be Anybody’s Hero Now
9 On the Streets I Ran
10 To Me You Are a Work of Art
11 I Just Want to See the Boy Happy
12 At Last I Am Born

Order Ringleader of the Tormenters from Insound
(or with dvd for three bucks more)

Moz on MySpace
Ringleader Of The Tourmentors Website
Review on The Tripwire
Review on AllMusic (3/5 stars)
Review on The Guardian (5/5 stars)
Review on Manchester Online (4/5 stars)
Ringleader Of The Tormentors Fansite