Tiny reviews of Ringleader Of The Tormentors
in my beloved New York magazine.
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Ringleader of the Tormentors
Morrissey
The onetime Smiths front man’s latest assembly of morose ballads.
Katherine [Rating: 8]: Love has apparently paid a visitation to Moz, and the clouds are a tad less gray, though couplets like “Pasolini is me / Accattone you’ll be” still provide the damp but pleasurable jolt we’ve come to expect from him.
Sarah [Rating: 5]: I think it would be unethical to play songs like “I’ll Never Be Anybody’s Hero” for 9-year-olds. And the melodies and guitars are flat to me (I can’t get over Johnny Marr’s absence, no matter how long it’s been).
John [Rating: 3]: Oh, good grief! Tracks on this disc include “Dear God Please Help Me,” “You Have Killed Me,” “The Father Who Must Be Killed,” and “Life Is a Pigsty”—that last of which features ostentatiously weepy lyrics actually set to a backdrop of drizzling rain.
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Katherine, I don't get it! (Score:1)
(User #10050 Info)
Casting Pearls Amongst Swine (Score:2, Funny)
My God, if this is not the most delightfully-ringing endorsement of ROTT I have ever read, I don't know what is! This silly review is like a shout from off the rooftop, "Morrissey has once again failed to appeal to the common tastes of the average music listener!"
For that, he may be truly destined for eternal greatness. Well done, ol' boy!
(User #11277 Info)
Nope - Confused... (Score:1)
That said, one of my friends has a 8 year old daughter who adores Morrissey... He was forced to explain what 'exploding kegs' meant, so it's educational if nothing else! hehe!
(User #16918 Info)
Re:Nope - Confused... (Score:2, Insightful)
If she meant that the song is too mature for some 9 year olds, i.e., that the feelings expressed or subject matter in the song go beyond their comprehension, that's fine. I really don't know what she meant; I can only go by what she said or what she was quoted as saying.
She specifically used the word "unethical". Ethics deals with choices of right or wrong based on morality and/or accepted standards of conduct. But by who's standards? Who decides? By saying that it would be "unethical" to allow a nine year old to listen to that song; she is making a moral judgement and that those who allow a nine year old to listen to that song, based on her argument, lack sound moral judgement.
From that interpretation, I went on to cite historical examples of mistreatment and persecution of American artists and writers based on the "accepted standards" of their time. There, I admit, I went overboard. I really didn't need to do that. But, what's done is done and I'll drop the subject.
So, your 9 year old likes "First of the Gang to Die"? That's a great song. I'm glad you expose your child to great music. I was lucky to have taken formal study in Art and Music in school in the elementary and high school level. Sadly, the modern curriculum in most schools today have decided to remove them completely.
(User #11277 Info)
Parent
Re:Nope - Confused... (Score:2, Interesting)
That said, here and now, we are far more broad minded than people in the US - TV programmes that land on us from across the water tend to prove that point and are generally less challenging and to my tastes, more boring than what we put out ourselves - I hope you can get a few copies of 'Shameless' off Amazon, compare and contrast with 'Friends' and I think you will see what I mean!
Mozmic Dancer - You seem alright! Why don't you emigrate?
(User #16918 Info)
Parent
Senseless, un-intelligent fools!! (Score:2, Interesting)
The three people who have reviewed the album clearly have no intelligence what so ever!
The album is not morbid or depressing, Morrissey writes about real life, things he feels and experiences he has been through! Subject matters which you will never, ever hear in the charts. Let me guess these people probably follow artists (I use the word ARTISTS very loosely!!) such as kean, Snow Patrol, feeder..... I could go on..... but I won't through fear of collapsing!!They have nothing to offer.... and never will!!!!
'Dear god please help me' is an uplifting song, about finding love and feeling free!!
'you have killed me' is a song about Romany hero's and lost love!!
And as for the comment about 9 year old's not being subjected to 'i'll never be anybody's hero now'.. well...... Morrissey will never cater for 9 year olds, so why the hell will they be listening, why the hell should they????
Most bands, groups and so called artists always say - 'we're going to try and reach the people who don't listen to our music'.... WHY??????!!! i don't think anyone should cater for the people who aren't listening! Write music for the people who are listening, the people who have listened and the people who will continue to listen!! As MORRISSEY does!!! he caters for true fans!!
Morrissey is the greatest poet / songwriter the world has ever come across. I think a statement that will be agreed with by most parts!
He should be cherished and is by me!!
These idiots - Sarah, Katherine and John... should never review Morrissey or the Smiths.. in fact they should never review anything!! They should feed themselves to death and dissapear!
Thank you x
(User #16709 Info)
Re:Senseless, un-intelligent fools!! (Score:2, Interesting)
(User #14157 Info)
Parent
Tiresome... (Score:1)
(User #16812 Info | http://www.myspace.com/thekeyskills4)