Morrissey – Ringleader of the Tormentors

Despite my disappointment in the British music industry – there are still some heroes out there, even ones I didn’t know about until recent years. Ringleader of the Tormentors is the new album from one of britains finest songwriters, who now living in Rome has collaborated with producer Tony Visconti on his latest – and really, its a bloody masterpiece. Opening with ‘I will see you in far off places’ with its slightly eastern sound, you get the feeling that this could be something really different. Track 2 is ‘Dear God, Please Help me’ – possibly the softest, gentlest song that Morrissey has recorded, full of passion and love and ended by beautiful guitars and strings. These are just two of the great tracks, and there are some wonderful moments on this album, the childrens choir on ‘The Youngest was the most loved’ and the almost perfect vocal on ‘I’ll never be anybodys hero now’ – followed by the brilliant piano solo. When Morrissey ends the album with ‘At last I am born’ – I felt that it was far more reflective of the return to form rather than the more popular connection that he is in love. Its a great album – truly majestic in places. Superb release.