...isn't it?

Sk.

sanctuary annoucment said it was the most rocking?? now suppossedly from morrissey the most gentle. who knows.

....sounds like a "Lord of the Rings" meets "Harry Potter" crossover movie project. How nice.

That's quite a jump there! :P

If Tony Visconti is involved, I'd say expect experimental, perhaps a little bit more of a rock sound than the slower songs of YATQ, but it's not going to be anything like Ozzy Osbourne or any of those metalheads! :P

Tony has also produced for Sparks, Adam Ant, and recently for Kristeen Young's most interestingly titled album, "Breasticles."

http://www.tonyvisconti.com/

I like how this album is now the most "gentle" whereas it was decribed previously as his most "loud." I hope he goes for both, personally.

Finn

...until I have the CD in my hand. ... and that should give Moz time to change it to something a little a little bit less of a mouthful! :-)

Morrissey claims the album is very gentle, while there were reports that it was the rockiest thing he's ever done. Like the man said, "Don't believe anything unless it comes from my lips."

Anyone else think that the title is quite strange? It just doesn't seem like a Morrissey title to me.

This is absolutely and totally AMAZING news.

Well done Julia and thank you so much.

Rock on 2006 !

Strawberry.

Sounds like the missing chapter of the Lord of the Rings or some obscure science fiction film where Man has become enslaved by giant fembots.

I can hardly wait!

If this is true (which it may or may not be by the lame title) thank god Jeff Saltzman is out of the control booth. That was never a good move.

It's the same idea innit.

Is Morrissey the Quarry or is he the hunter?

Is Morrissey the Ringleader or is he being tormented?

As far as change in producer goes maybe Jeff is used to young malleable bands he can tell what to do. Maybe working with an artist who knows what they want might be a bit of a culture shock for him?

I know Moz is now on the same label as Iron Maiden. Looks like he's been discussing album titles with Bruce and co!

I was happy to hear that the new album was going to be ROCKIN. Now we hear the album is going to be gentle. Not what I was looking forward to.

Don't get me wrong, I will still buy the album, just was hoping for something stronger!

I think the title may have a lot to do with bullies and gangs within the school environment.

I was unfortunate enough to be systematically tormented by a large group of bullies.

I know exactly how it is. To be tormented and verbally and physically abused on a daily basis when you walk into school.

I stuttered, and I was quiet and introverted. Maybe there is some irony in the new album title, but I don't think so.

With love-

Ken S.

Bullet in the gullet kind of
gentle album perhaps?

The name is quite original tho...
hope not self intentionally so.

Let's wait and see for the material.
I like somehow more cryptic or striking names
like Bona Drag or Maladjusted.

is a great producer. He certainly helped Bowie refind his form on "Heathen" (Slow burn was a great track.)

Good title too.

All this bodes well. Very very promising.

Blimey Missus.... Who wasn't bullied at school? Move on love!

WHAT?????????? Morrissey has truly lost it. "Ringleader of the Tormentors"??? Awful. Just awful. Where's the poetic prowess? Where's the depth? I am not impressed. I thought "You Are The Quarry" was just a slip for and it was to be excused for being 'out of it' for so long... But 4 top ten hits later, you come up with, "Ringleader of the Tormentors"??? Please let it NOT be true. PLEASE! It'll ruin my life. This is one of those times that I dearly hope this is NOT true. My album title suggestion? "Honey, You Know Where To Find Me". With a mixture of Vauxhall and Arsenal type stuff. Quit trying to extend further 'out there' and just make what we like!!! Learn from Johnny Marr... Okay, now I'm rambling... Please just don't let this be, "Ringleader of the Maladjusteders (part II)", my heart can't take it.

I sincerely hope this album has some of that dreamy T.Rex feeling to it.

Morrissey already described it as gentle and beautiful, Tony Visconti is producing and the title even sounds quite Bolan-esque.

Fingers crossed!

I've met Julia, and she is very nice- but I wish that other people could share breaking Morrissey news with us. Mr. Tseng is an unsung hero, in my opinion. If anyone's name should be mentioned, it should be his!!!

Unfortunately, I've never met Mr. Tseng. I think this website will be a prototype or an example that will be included in the history of Pop/Rock music.

No other fan site in the history of music has ever been so influential.

Also check out the un-official Jobriath website-

www.jobriath.org

It is very scholarly as well.

Sincerely,
Ken

Ringleader Of The Tormentors? I guess he couldn't just use "Mike Joyce" for legal reasons. ;)

If you google this you get some references to a book called ‘Play or Die’ (if you put in ‘Play or Die’ you get a shitload of Poker nonsense).

It also looks as if it was a 1991 film as well (dig out your copy for e-bay sale now).

‘A bullied schoolboy plans to retaliate against the ringleader of his tormentors while his parents are out of town, but the two soon find themselves locked in an intense emotional and psychological struggle‘.

Is it true that Morrissey’s source of inspiration can be identified by a 0.056 second search in google? Doubt it (I hope).

Either way, based on what we have so far Uncleskinny looks to have hit it the proverbial nail.

If Morrissey describes it this way, perhaps there's reason enough to believe him. I thought though that this album would be rocky (in comparison to the latest); but I guess you can actually, in a strage and surprising way, have both rocky and gentle qualities in an album. One thing no one can deny is Morrissey is a box of surprises, and the title alone is quite unusual for an album title (it would be even for a book). He always seems to be finding, asides from exotic titles, exquisite soundmaking. I think being different is his main characteristic, not being whinny or self-centered; the artistic world is made of that! If no pain squeezes your throat, no paranoia tortures your brain, no art, no pearls made inside a shell.

The the gothic place - Plato's cave - where Morrissey is making his music is already a shell... What my mind isn't paying now to peek, even imaginarily, and watch how he does his recording.

Well, let our precious oyster keep rounding and polishing his pearl, the... (Maybe I am too tired but I still didn't memorize the title).

Visconti Rocks and bring on the Glam....

I am very pleased with this news! Tony Visconti is a great producer, and a really nice guy. He also did the last Manics album, Lifeblood. I know a lot of people here don't like the Manics too much, but the album sounds really clean, and fresh. He knows exactly how to not over-produce, which is a relief. He usually updates his website with notes about the recording session with the artist he is working with at the moment, and shares some great photos, etc.

The elements are coalescing -- fascinating. I think this album is going to divide people a lot more than the crowd-pleasing (arguably MOR) YATQ did. Visconti's comeback as a producer has stalled a couple times, but I think this will be his true return to form. I can imagine Morrissey asking some anecdotes about David "Showie".

Good title, but it sounds like a song name more than an album moniker. Actually it sounds a bit like a title someone pretending to be Morrissey might come up with. It could change, yet.

Whoever talked him out of 'Education in Reverse' should get started on the campaign to get this changed immediately. That said, I'm always an instant nay-sayer, it's just genetic I'm afraid. If this is the real deal I'll learn to appreciate it with some coaxing from Moz himself. It seems to be keeping in theme with the violence that he alludes to so often.

Co-incidence? I think not:

From the backcover description on the DVD:

To Play or To Die (1991)
Cast & Crew:
Geert Hunaerts, Tjebbo Gerrltsma,  directed by Frank Krom
Synopsis:
Kees, a shy underclassman at a Dutch all-boys school, is sick and tired of being bullied by his sadomasochistic classmates. But Kees is fascinated by Charel, the extraordinarily handsome ringleader of his tormentors. Eager to turn the tables, Kees invites Charel back to his house when his parents are away.   Too bad his plan to take revenge backfires when Charel gets the upper hand.
Part of Water Bearer Films' "Alternative LifeStyles" series.

MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 50 minutes
Genre: Foreign Films, Dutch, Drama, Gay/Lesbian, Psychodrama, Suspense
Fansites:
For To Play or To Die

If there is one thing more devastating than Moz in full-on aggro mode, it is Morrissey crooning gently and beautifully. Either way, bring on the torment...Hooray!

 

If the album is going to be done on Nov 1st, it would be nice if they get it out this year. Any word on a date or if they will be moving the release date up?

I think it would be a good idea if Moz played a couple of gigs this winter and played a couple of new songs, or went on Janet Long again and played some stuff. Anything for his fans to catch a glimpse. That would be a nod in the direction of his fans.

i cant wait to hear it!!!

At least some detailed information about the upcoming album, although I share the confusion about the "more rockier" vs. "gentle & beautiful" thing. When I read the album title I was actually loss for words! What about "Mozzer Bloody Mozzer" then...?

Not to be confused with one of Van Morrison' albums! It's the look of van the man and the voice of moz in one.....this could be his best selling album.

My first reaction was “god, what an awful title” because it doesn’t sound like Morrissey to me, maybe “ringleader of tortured”... and anothers stupidities like that. But then I thought that it’s absurd to ask to an interesting artist,like he is, to act always like the picture that fans have in ours minds. It could be great, and with Visconti as producer I think this CD won’t be just a “You are the Quarry the Second”, as I was afraid, but something interesting and different.

I hope he changes his mind about it

Visconti is a bonus, compared to Saltzman

"Ringleader of the Tormenters" is not a promising title.

It hasn't a the faded grandeur of "Vauxhall and I", nor the provocation of "Viva Hate", nor the wordplay of "You are the Quarry" ... it's a clumsy, verbose start to the new album.

moz - unreconstructed troublemaker and musical genius making an album in 2006 with the producer of T-Rex and Bowie, defying the rules of the music business who expected him to go away and be quiet 10+ years ago.

magnificent - as fans we can be proud of ourselves for supporting him.

Your Arsenal is one of, if not, THE best Morrissey Album. It was produced by Mick Rock - who worked with Bowie and had a big 'Glam' background - incredibly similar from what i've read about Tony Viscotti.

All things point to this Album being along similar lines to Your Arsenal. Crunching Guitars, surely insightful lyrics. Think about the diversity on that Album - National Fornt Disco, Seasick Yet Still Docked and of course we Hate it When...

And bearing in mind Mozza didnt have a full time keyboardist back then, there should be a whole new dimension to his sound on this Album. BRILLIANT I say and bring it on.

Im looking forward to a National Front Disco Update! Lets see what the NME have to say about that now.

but he couldn't name an album if his life depended upon it.

but who cares if Visconti is at the helm, and it's been described as both his most gentle, beautiful, and rocking album!

Hi evereyone

i have just read this and i think this is briliant news. i agree 'ringleader of the taunters' will definitley be his best album yet. Well done Morissey, you just know it will be good, i agree with you all.

what do you think the lyrics will be and the song titles. i think the titles may be like this

1. i escaped from a van
2. why do you always bother me when i'm busy thinking about you?
3. Wales
4. kojak dyed his hair for you
5. breakdown at the antiqeus road show
6. i am still (unforgivabley) a round peg in a big hole

7. rainey day in hollywood
8. take off your shirt and have a lie down, dear
9. killed by a golf ball
10. you're the person whose on everybodys'lips
11. unloved unwanted adored

i think going by the title of the album those will probaply be the names of the songs. im not quiet sure if thats the right running order, and also i admit that i dont know what the b-sides will be called. still its valid isnt it?

perhaps you can suggest some other titles or which of the ones above you think shouldnt be on the album because you wont like them when he plays them live for the first time ect ect

best wishes josh.

“the most beautiful—perhaps the most gentle, so far.”

Hasn't it occurred to anybody else that Morrissey might just be playing with us? It wouldn't surprise me one tiny bit if the album did turn out to be the "balls to the wall" rock album that was recently rumoured. It would be typically sarcastic of Morrissey to proclaim that such an album could be "beautiful and gentle." Bob Dylan once described himself as being a "song and dance man." I suspect similar tongue-in-cheekness here. Either way, I can't wait! I love the title - it puts me in mind of something which I can't quite put my finger on yet...

It bodes well for a refreshing new batch of songs.

TT

I think this person's comments are wise. No one will know until someone who hears it (and is trustworthy) gives up the goods. But consider this, if reports are right he has 3 guitarists working with him, one of whom is relatively new to the fold has been said to have a lot of knowledge/interest in early (or was it obscure?) punk. As does Moz, but only time will...

Either way, anyone who's heard Bowie's old records, as well as Heathen and Reality, know that Visconti brings the goods. Great news. Go Moz.

Regardless of whether it's gonna be hard or soft, the fact that Visconti's on board to produce it makes it very, very interesting. Let's hope he lays off the synth-strings and go for the real deal. A 40-piece orchestra or something.

I'm sure that he didn't bring Jesse on to do elevator music.

what i don't get is why his spokesperson said that Salzman was producing the album last week when he can't even take on the project. do they not know who is in the studio or what's going on or did Salzman bail about halfway through?

About his slagging off of Bowie now? It's going to be a bit embarrassing for him working with Visconti isn't it?

Bigmouth strikes again Moz!

Is indeed to do with a 'Bully' but it actually refers to Steve Bull of Wolverhampton Wanderers and England fame who's picture will adorn the record sleeve of the new Moz album.

I dislike the new album's title. Too archaic and pompous. Sounds like a film about the IRA.

It makes "Morrissey: The Consumer Monkey" or "The People's Friend" sound like classic titles.

Well, it's only a title.

It is probably a Boxers theme, well I think the title has something to do with BOXERS. ring ring