Ringleader of the Tormentors is a different kind of Morrissey album: it a long cruise through the ancient streets of Rome, the heart heaving with emotional and sexual longing, and a look at the resultant heartbreak and redemption that Morrissey makes feel like the only possible ending to life well lived. This is Morrissey as the smitten flaneur, the aching poet, the prophet of fulfillment, and the tragic hero of love. The Moz is in fine form on this outing, both lyrically and vocally. His voice, perhaps like vintage Roman wine, has only become more nuanced with age. And his band stretches out skillfully behind him, providing a textured backdrop to the pathos in forms as varied as the middle eastern tinge of “I Will See You in Far Off Places”, the torch balladry of “To Me You Are a Work of Art”, and all the intelligent pop in between. You need this more than you know.

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