Hour.ca - Music - Spin - Ringleader of the Tormentors

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April 20th, 2006
Morrissey - (Sanctuary/EMI)

Ringleader of the Tormentors
Martin Siberok

The Mancunian mope is looking dapper and earnest: the Deutsche Grammophon-inspired cover depicts a tuxed Morrissey playing first fiddle. Recorded in Rome, the material is produced by veteran Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T.Rex) and even features an orchestral contribution from spaghetti-western composer Ennio Morricone on Dear God Please Help Me. The album opens sluggishly with I Will See You in Far-off Places, a Middle Eastern-tinged Led Zep tribute, but picks up by track 3, You Have Killed Me, with its big Smiths-y sound. The maestro's lyrics - delivered in his usual drawn-out phrasing - deal with all the big topics: sex, death and God. The lapsed - I wonder - Catholic seems to be have been spiritually stirred by his Roman environs, drawing inspiration from ornate churches, Renaissance statues and Pasolini celluloid images. But, unfortunately, his presentation is too studied and deliberate. Yes we all know you're a serious artist, but loosen up and enjoy yourself a bit.


	Write your review of this record !

Tormenting His Fans With An Inflated Ego............

The problem with Morrissey over the years is that he has taken himself way too seriously, and without some perspective from his former bandmates, the Smiths, he believes that he is some impressario that has a large throng of followers. Kind of like a cult leader but without the cyanide. The fun-sounding but depression-themed music that observers loved to hum along with when the Smiths were releasing stuff like Meat is Murder was entertaining because the band was going against the establishment, but with great music.

Now, Morrissey as a solo artist, not unlike Robbie Williams thinks he should be raised among everyone else he considers to be just-regular folks, and somehow catapulted into his own "Superstar" category. Is it healthy to be so egotistical? Is Morrissey full of himself? Is he an ungracious and arrogant ass who can't see three inches in front of his puffed out chest? You decide, based on countless interviews he has "given", and some of his perspectives on why you should really like him and his music.

Morrissey continues to draw a huge international audience. For example, his new CD hit the charts at #1 in Sweden. But, after watching the hollow video for "You Have Killed Me", I wonder what his appeal is all about in other countries who may not be able to see through his thinly veiled personality.

Steve Landry

{5 votes}

April 22nd, 2006

ROTT is an extremely weak album

Disregarding the fact that Moz boycotted Canada, the record really doesn't stand with the rest of them. Many fans are torn as to whether Kill Uncle, Southpaw or Maladjusted were his worst records. But, in my humble opinion, ROTT is below that. He doesn't sound like himself. The record doesn't sound like a Morrissey record. Even Kill Uncle had some gems (Our Frank, Sing your Life, Driving your girlfriend home). Southpaw was great. Maladjusted was hit and miss, but I still felt it produced some memorable moments..the B-side "I can have both", ammunition, trouble loves me, He cried. All passionate songs. But ROTT is the 1st disappointment for me...a fan since '83.

Vic Balian

April 27th, 2006

Simply ... Morrissey

I cannot tell you how much of a dolt-headed leftist numskull I think Morrissey is. For all that, however, I am compelled to buy his records through some strange (and very unfair) resonance to the irony and passion with which he invests his songs. Songs like "Boxers", "No Matter What Happens, I Love You", "You're The One For Me, Fatty", "Have-A-Go Merchant" (with one of the best vocal oh-oh hooks ever), "Dear God Please Help Me" et cetera are almost enough to make up for his nearly utter lack of genuine intelligence of any other kind other than musical. Almost. Perhaps he is an idiots savant ... ridiculously gifted as a musician but useless as anything else for all other intents and purposes. I don't know, maybe I'm being just a little bit harsh on the man. But picture this pour example: He refuses to play Canada because of his opposition to the slaughter of baby seals (he takes as fact allegations made by partisan groups - my money is on PETA - based on questionable info on a complex issue), but he's quite happy to play good old US of A despite his apparently vehement opposition to the Iraq war. Regardless, I will continue to give him my money. For the record, I don't find him particularly mopey or depressing. His music really gives me a kick, a good one, makes me happy, so i'll continue to buy it, personal differences be damned, including this record which I would give four stars out of five if I had them to give. Of course though, I also savour the moments when he slips up musically or lyrically, as he occasionally does. So, Morrissey, Rock On, but remember, as much joy as you bring me, I am eagerly waiting for you to fail.

Robert Bichage

{2 votes}

April 23rd, 2006

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