Jeffree Star: Beauty Killer

To paraphrase George Clinton: Who is this young, ink-and-stage-blood-saturated, self-styled bitch who wishes to be “Queen of the Club Scene”? Submitted for Red State disapproval, it’s L.A.-based Internet spectacle Jeffree Star, whose full-length debut CD rages, primps, and pumps as if the future of drag terrorism depended on it. When one strains to listen beyond the applied Auto-Tuned vocals, Star’s not untalented. His vocals convey the required melodrama, smut, and wit, especially wit. Star’s awareness of the absurdity of Hollywood culture vulturism grounds the lyrics of “Lollipop Luxury” and “Fame & Riches, Rehab Bitches”, a collaboration with shouty electro-thrashers Breathe Carolina (Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio also guests). One does wish most of Star’s musical backdrops didn’t sound like the worst aspects of pounding goth-industrial warhorses or the sort of Red Bull and bad Ecstasy club soundtrack Star’s lyrics willingly satirize. Fortunately, there’s enough moments here, like the G. Glitter microchip stomp of “Electric Sugar Pop”, to provide welcome relief.