Zelda writes:

Link posted by Benton on the general board, via comment on the main page.

Is Morrissey Ready To Die? - CMJ Relay
January 5th, 2006. Posted by Kory Grow

Upon listening to Morrissey’s eighth solo album, Ringleader Of The Tormentors (out April 4 on Attack-Sanctuary), it seems he’s a little too preoccupied with killing others, as well as his own impending doom. From the lead single, “You Have Killed Me,” to a story about wanting to live long enough to see his son grow up (“I Just Want To See The Boy Happy”), the ex-Smith rivals only Eminem in “killing” himself and bystanders on a single record. Not that eminent death is anything new to the Morrissey repertoire—after all, this is the guy who wears black on the outside because black is how he feels on the inside—but this is slightly unprecedented.

On the album’s first song, “I Will See You In Far-Off Places,” he sings to a lover amidst Middle Eastern instrumentation, “If your God bestows protection upon you, if the USA doesn’t bomb you, I’ll see you somewhere safe…” He has a song about killing his stepfather (“The Father Who Must Be Killed”), and in possibly the most shocking move, he shucks his own human life to be born again at the end of the album. That’s right, after yet another album of feeling unworthy of love, “At Last I Am Born” finds Moz singing, “I thought I had numerous reasons to cry, but I don’t anymore… I am finally born.” Well, that was a long, strange trip, Stephen Patrick. It’s nice he had a change of heart, because if he keeps on making records like this, we may want him to stick around.

Musically, Moz even sounds a little like some other famous (and dead) singers in certain spots: he channels Elvis on the Ennio Morricone-arranged “Dear God Please Help Me,” and he even gets in some ‘40s-styled vocal flourishes à la Frank Sinatra on “I’ll Never Be Anybody’s Hero Now.” His vocal performances are so impressive, that some of the musical breakdowns just seem like filler until the next time he opens his mouth. And for an album that is possibly his most poppy musically—meaning, he uses verse-chorus form throughout most of it—it’s possibly his most emotionally complex and conflicted. Perhaps all Morrissey ever needed was a emotional yo-yoing that was drastically more morose.

Link posted on the general board by david we wonder (original post):

Tularosa Street - Jan. 9 2006 entry:

Ringleader of the Tormentors - seems that there is a difference of opinion out there. If you were to ask me, I would say "it stinks" (in jay sherman/the critic voice) only because I'm beginning to despise Jed Weitzman. He never follows through with anything that's "considered done"! Now it's Jan. and the book I left him in Rome still isn't taken care of! Here's what others think:

It's so amazing. Most of the songs are incredible, my favorites were:
"I Will See You in Far Off Places" it sounds Middle Eastern and very heavy.
"Dear God Please Help Me" has beautiful strings by Ennio Morricone, "Life is a Pigsty" is a 7 and half minute epic.
"At Last I Am Born" reminds me of "Frankly Mr. Shankly" and has awesome talking bits as well as the children's choir... "The Youngest was the Most Loved" had the choir too.
5 different songs have a version of the word "kill" in the lyrics.
I took extensive notes so I could plagiarize lyrics for the next few months...
The record was supposed to come out on my birthday, but I think they pushed the date back.

i was so ready not to hate. i was super pumped will hooked it up and got me into the thing. i was all happy and riding my bike there thinking 'there's no way this will be worse than maladjusted or you are the quarry' sure i expect some duds but i also expect some jams right? zero! i walked in during the middle of the record, which was actually the best part of it. the single sucks kinda. there are some laughable lyrics too. not in the usual laughable way, i mean bad laughable.the deal is now he's psyched and not emo at all. he want to live forever now and eat grapes in rome. i shit you not. in the release he's all, 'i don't give a shit about endearing myself to the public.' obviously not! not to say i won't listen to this album when it comes out. i've changed my mind before. but if i got all pitchfork-wise i'd give it a 6.2?there was a break when the recorded ended and the dude went to que it up again, and i go 'fuckit just put on vauxhall and we'll all be happier!' then i realized i was the only one in the room.

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scan from Mojo (Jan. 2006) posted on the general board by oldbrownshoe (original post):

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Guillaume Métayer writes:

Morrissey in Rome. Click to enlarge

Sarah writes:
Four-midable Mozz!
Manc pop legend set for spectacular return.

MANCHESTER music legend Morrissey is planning a spectacular homecoming later this year - with plans to perform four concerts at as many different venues in the city.

The gigs will be held in a range of different concert spaces - one is said to be the Bridgewater Hall and another at either the Palace Theatre or Opera House.

Other venues believed to be on Mozzer's wish list are Salford's Lowry Arts Centre and the MEN Arena.

Although dates and venues have not yet been officially confirmed, the four Manchester gigs are said to form part of a 30 date tour to follow the March release of Mozzer's new album, The Ringleader of the Tormentors. Talk of the gigs has caused feverish anticipation among fans - who have already been calling up the city's main venues in the hope of getting an early hold on tickets.

An industry insider said:"Fans are desperate to get hold of tickets - without any official word on when they are going on sale yet.
"As soon as the Manchester dates are confirmed, the gigs are almost certain to sell out.
"It will also be big news if he chooses the Palace Theatre, as that was the setting for one of his most famous gigs."

Fan website True-To-You, to which Morrissey himself regularly contributes, has said his first single off the new album, You Have Killed Me, will be released in March.

The legendary Manc will be hoping to capitalise on the huge success he achieved in 2004 with his album You Are The Quarry and ensuing tour - which saw him back in Manchester for the first time in 10 years.

David Gladwin writes:

Virgin Holidays' Doc Holiday