Blaqk Audio - Cexcells

DAVEY HAVOK/JADE PUGET: TWO BOYS IN LOVE WITH SYNTHESISERS & SOFTWARE

BLAQK AUDIO, the electronic side project of AFI's Davey Havok and Jade Puget, will finally see the light of day in the form of the debut album CexCells. Recorded by the band in between AFI's extensive touring for DECEMBERUNDERGROUD and mixed by Dave Bascombe (Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Placebo), CexCells expands upon and fully indulges the dark electronic textures and influences increasingly prevalent in AFI's recent work. The results range from evocation of prima era Depeche Mode and early Ministry ("Stiff Kittens," "Bitter for Sweet," "Where Would You Like Them Left?") to four on the floor club-friendly fare ("On a Friday," "Snuff on Digital") to vulnerable balladry ("Wake Up," "The Fear").

The common thread running through all of BLAQK AUDIO's material-Havok's signature dark vocal and lyrical stylings combined with Puget's epic, emotional arrangements -will be instantly identifiable to AFI fans, despite the synthetic washes, keyboard flourishes and electronic beats supplanting the traditional guitar /bass/drum AFI frame work. Album Description

Amazing Album...more addictive than heroine!!

Love this album...can't stop listening to it. It's like early Depeche Mode meets AFI. August 30, 2008

Great album

Blaqk Audio is the electronica side project by AFI's Davey Havok and Jade Puget. I admit I am not a fan of AFI's music. I like a couple of their songs here and there but overall I am not a fan. When I first heard samples of Blaqk Audio last year I was totally blown away by what I hear. Their music was definitely right up my alley. CEX CELLS is the duo's first (and hopefully not their last) album. The music reminded me a lot of my favorite EBM and synthpop bands. I found the music very upbeat and addictively catchy. I especially love the opening track "Stiff Kittens" which is a lot of fun to dance too. I also enjoy "Snuff on Digital" as well. The only drawback is Davey's vocals which has a tendency to be nasally and that isn't a good thing. The lyrics are often silly but overall I enjoyed CEX CELLS a lot. I hope Blaqk Audio isn't a one album project. They definitely have the potential of being really great right up there with VNV Nation and Depeche Mode.

July 30, 2008

So close

The first time I heard "Stiff Kittens," I was helplessly drawn in. This is one of those sounds on which I grew up, and Davey and Jude do it very well. There's some top-notch synth work on this album. If you're into Depeche Mode, VNV Nation, early NIN, or (it must be said) Tears For Fears, there be sounds here that will positively creep you out with their familiarity. Dave Bascombe's presence presumably has something to do with this.

Now, being annoyingly picky, I just want to see these guys paired with a slightly more distinctive songwriter. Hey, didn't Mesh recently lose a member...? June 10, 2008

Bluuuuuuuuuuuuaaaa!

I just threw up in my mouth listening to this album. God these guys suck now. March 28, 2008

Strange twist

In a strange twist the guys from AFI have gone digital. Still you can not hide awesome vocal ability and this shows though very nicely. If you are an AFI fan and like all sorts of music then this is great. Hard core rock, alt and punk fans should leave it alone. I am glad I have it just for the great lyrics and vocal. December 31, 2007

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