★ ★ ★ ★ out of 5
All hail the Queen of Halloween! RuPaul's Drag Race season four winner Sharon Needles shared her passion for art and individualism on the main stage, proving to fans of the show that she was worth more than a reality star's allotted 15 minutes of fame. The new found attention gave Needles the chance to host her own horror show on LOGO, become the face of PETA and release her debut album in 2013.
For PG-13, Needles gave her audience what they wanted, while showcasing her punk-rock and horror-loving roots in the collection of tracks. Fit for airplay in the local mortuary, or the nearest dancefloor, sparkling pop gems such as "Call Me On the Ouija Board" and "I Wish I Was Amanda Lepore" were shockingly mainstream while "Everyday Is Halloween" and "Why Do You Think You Are Nuts?" seemed unforced, coming straight from the heart of a self-proclaimed weirdo.
Nearly three years later, Needles has grown, becoming a "much more precarious, untrusting adult" and the maturity is evident in the lyrical content of her sophomore effort Taxidermy. Instead of metal and punk inspirations, the drag entertainer sticks with a more commercial, marketable EDM/pop sound, making the new release more polished and cohesive than her debut album. Preceded by lead single "Dracula" and released on Halloween, it's the perfect soundtrack for the dead souls walking the Earth... and in the nearest bathhouse.
Opening with lead single and the first taste fans got of the new album, "Dracula" is a sadistic love song inspired by one of the most recognized vampires to ever come back from the dead. With an 80s New Wave-inspired backing beat, Needles' deep and hypnotic vocal performance seductively comes through to detail the spell her master has her under. With an underlying hard rock influences, and a catchy hook, it's a strong and appropriate tease for what comes next.
"Dead Dandelion", said to be the artist's favorite album track, showcases a vulnerable, human side to Needles, one not normally exposed. As she questions God and shoots back her favorite liquor, a delicate, reflective vocal performance becomes the shining moment of the emotional ballad. "You say that you won't leave, together we die alone, love is a sick joke," she sings as the dark yet endearing inspirations come together to form a somber picture of true love.
A satisfying blend of Needles' drag persona and musician motivations occurs on the infectious title track, a snyth-heavy production where a different idea of perfection is displayed. While the songwriting borders on criminally insane, "Taxidermy" is a clever representation of how the artist views beauty in her own disturbed mind. Not only are the references tight and entertaining, but Needles has found a successful way to bridge her campy inspirations with radio-friendly beats. The Death Becomes Her line is just the cherry on top.
Needles sounds depressed and moody as she struggles with ideals of the famous on "Hollywoodn't", an electronic ballad that succeeds thanks to another humorless vocal performance and solid narrative songwriting. "There's a reason why, so many dreams have died, on one steep hill, for a lit up sign," the artist sings on the track's opening line, paving way for a retelling of the dramatics, heartbreaks and disappointments that come with trying to engrave your name on the Walk of Fame.
Having already successfully covered Ministry's "Everyday Is Halloween" for PG-13, Needles now gives Cerrone's 1977 dance hit "Supernature" her own unique spin. While a true, honest cover of the disco classic, the drag performer sheds the original underlying influences to better reflect her spooky, EDM-loving personality, as well as cutting the ten minute track to a stronger, normal four minute length. The track may have been released 40 years ago, but it most certainly belonged to Needles in a past life.
On the mid-tempo "Lucy", the artist sings of wanting to be used in an unhealthy relationship. Needles plays the character of the deranged, obsessed lover giving a warning to her man to never leave her side. The track is carried by a convincing vocal performance and an intriguing premise, however, it's the electronic piano-driven production that steals the show this time around. The glimmering, tinkering beats keep the listener's attention as it guides through the story of an unstable love.
"Wendigo" embodies the unapologetic, somewhat grotesque, aesthetic of Needles that was missing from the preceding tracks. Built around the myth of a cannibalistic half-beast human with a taste for flesh, the thumping, electro-pop track shows Needles on the hunt, devouring her enemies with an explicit, fierce vocal performance and a chorus that leaves little to the imagination. Though a tad repetitive, the dark vibe feels like a perfect fit for the artist and the quenches her thirst for blood.
As a perfect candidate for a future single, "Glow in the Dark!" pushes Needles further into the mainstream pop territory she was teetering between on her last album. With nostalgic, inspiring lyrics and an euphoric, sparkling beat, it's strong evidence of the artist finding her way onto pop radio one day. "The timing wasn't right, but when the stars aligned, for once I felt like everything would be alright," the artist sings on the love-induced pre-hook before the pulsating, energetic chorus comes through.
Unfortunately, if the album had one misstep, then it would be "Scream". For a song that truly embodies the artist's Halloween-loving nature, even incorporating a Michael Myers reference, the finished product doesn't do much for the album or Needles. Clocking in at under three minutes, and filled with an underwhelming, repetitive hook, the track sounds like a last minute, underdeveloped thought. The sinister, pessimistic vibe can be appreciated, and at least we finally get Needles trademark laugh. That's something, right?
The revealing songwriting of "The Damned" gives the underground styling of the track a personal touch as Needles sings about her life following her crowing run on Drag Race, and the countless times she's received criticism for her outrageous behavior. "Bridges are hard to build, and easy to burn, backlash fire at will, and now it's our turn," she sings while admitting to always losing the game of trying to entertain and not offend. The supporting dubstep production is intriguing, making sure listeners stick around for the ride.
The album closes out with the Press Your Luck-referencing "Whammy", a dazzling confession of a craving for money and power. While the use of a classic game show for the initial idea is clever and commendable, and the use of EDM and dubstep breakdowns hints at future Needles projects, for the first time on the album, it's the songwriting that weighs the effort down. The song is a fun experiment, a path the artist hadn't traveled yet, but for a closing track, it may leave a bitter taste in the mouths of listeners.
Taxidermy can easily be considered an improvement from its over-the-top predecessor, but it also showcases artistic growth from Sharon Needles, a reality show competitor who throws immense passion and conviction into her demonic form of art. That passion is evident a second time around as the drag entertainer sticks with a relatable theme throughout the 11-track effort, filled to the brim with engaging, infectious beats from the pop, rock, EDM and dubstep genres. Needles may not be the most vocally talented Drag Race contestant to dive into music, but she uses her androgynous delivery to bring her inspirations to life. Needles sounds confident and in her comfort zone. The artist is searching for souls to take back with her to the underworld, starting with the those she holds dear to her black heart.
Tracks to Hear: "Dracula", "Dead Dandelion", "Taxidermy", "Hollywoodn't" and "Glow in the Dark!"
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