By Paul V.

Morrissey won't have a near-decade layoff between albums this time around, as the former Smiths vocalist is already mixing his latest studio album. Ringleaders Of The Tormentors Is set for a mid-March release, with a single surfacing in early February. Producer Tony Visconti said via his Web site, "Not only is this a departure in his writing, it's Morrissey at his best, with plot twists and turns which somehow involve film composer Ennio Morricone and an Italian children's choir." ... '70s talk show host Tom Snyder provided a platform for the growing punk movement, and now you can check out some of those rare performances on the new DVD, The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave. The two-disc collection features interviews and performances from The Ramones, PIL, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Joan Jett, The Jam, and Elvis Costello & The Attractions, among others. Look for the release in stores Jan. 24 ... Fans of 50 Cent and his rockin' bod get to see more of the rapper in his debut film -- namely, his muscled bubble-ass. Keep your eyes peeled for some maximum gluteus during the shower scene in Get Rich Or Die Tryin' ... Someone working on her glutes is Janet Jackson. The stressed-out singer apparently looks more like Oprah these days, and has been spotted with two personal trainers trying to shed some very noticeable extra pounds. Good luck, JJ ... Madonna drops her highly anticipated new album today (Nov. 15) and the pop diva is already looking ahead to a possible summer tour. Madge told Billboard, "I'm currently exploring the possibility, and if I go on tour, it would be next summer. And it would be all-out disco, with lots of disco balls. I would focus on dance music and the new record. I already did the older stuff on my Re-Invention tour." ... The New York Dolls have new tunes in the works as the glam-drag punk icons just signed to Roadrunner Records. They'll enter the studio in January to start recording their comeback album, with founding members David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain being joined by new players. This will be their first release since 1974's Too Much Too Soon. ... And finally, British tabloids have been full of the sad tale of a mother who murdered her Down's Syndrome son. And what was the final straw for the exasperated mother? Too much Elton John on the stereo! "Patrick had spent the entire day listening to the same Elton John CD, shouting the word 'Elton' repeatedly," said the crazed mom. No comment from Elton, except perhaps sorry seems to be the hardest word?