Ringleader Of The Tormentors
by Morrissey
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. AllMusic
    60
    It's hard not to shake the suspicion that this album is the closest he's ever been to forgettable.
  2. Q Magazine
    60
    What we are left with is a sense of something not quite finished... It makes Ringleader Of The Tormentors feel like a transitional album. [Apr 2006, p.108]
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  3. Uncut
    60
    Funnily enough, it's the lyrics that let Ringleader down the most. [Apr 2006, p.94]
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  5. Paste Magazine
    60
    Strangely underwhelming. [Apr/May 2006, p.100]
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  6. Prefix Magazine
    50
    [His] vocals don't have the same strength or range they did just two years ago on You Are the Quarry.
  7. Slant Magazine
    50
    Whereas You Are The Quarry was a welcome return to form, Ringleader Of The Tormentors makes you wonder if seven-year gaps between albums are necessary.
  8. NOW Magazine
    40
    Mostly, though, it's the usual whining about his tortured life as as a once-celebrated pop star and being unloved in a harsh world, but with fewer droll song titles and clever couplets.
  9. The New York Times
    40
    While the lyrics are uniformly excellent... the songs mainly range from not good to pretty good. [3 Apr 2006]
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Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Most Discussed Album of 2006
93
#93 Most Shared Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 105 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 105
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 105
  3. Negative: 9 out of 105
  1. Alfie18
    Feb 6, 2023
    8
    More mixed than his previous album but still his fantastic vocals remain. You Have Killed Me and Life Is A Pigsty are the standouts to me.
  2. adpirtle
    Aug 1, 2014
    8
    Morrissey gets (sometimes uncomfortably) personal in Ringleader of the Tormentors, which makes it a special album for that fact alone. TonyMorrissey gets (sometimes uncomfortably) personal in Ringleader of the Tormentors, which makes it a special album for that fact alone. Tony Visconti's capable production gives a gentler feel to You Are the Quarry's follow-up. Make no mistake - there is filler here, but it's well done filler, certainly nothing worth skipping over to get to the next terrific track (and there are lots of those).… Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    Dec 21, 2006
    10
    since its release in april it has stayed at the top of the pile. there is no question morrissey remains as the best of 2006. only a couple since its release in april it has stayed at the top of the pile. there is no question morrissey remains as the best of 2006. only a couple can compete. this release improves after every play.… Full Review »
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