Blaqk Audio- CexCells

Artist: Blaqk Audio
CD Title: CexCells
Label: Interscope Records
Reviewer: Alison Stark
Date: 9-14-07

Davey Havok and Jade Puget of AFI fame make an impressive debut with their
synth-oriented electronic side project. Paying homage to genre pioneers
Depeche Mode and VNV Nation are songs like "Again, Again, Again" and "Bitter
for Sweet." The album is undeniably dance-worthy, with some few industrial
overtones (as in "Between Breaths") and ballads showcasing Havok's signature
vocal stylings. Lyrically, the album maintains the same reflective
somberness as AFI without becoming too heavy for what is meant to be an
uplifting electronic debut. Imbued with hearty pulsations and gliding synths
characteristic of the genre, each song on the album is distinctive and flows
smoothly. CexCells would be best suited for a club-going crowd or fans that
err on the lighter side of electronic music; instead, Blaqk Audio is at risk
of being devoured by AFI loyalists that know little about this style of
music and, in turn, rejected by electronic enthusiasts who will say that
Havok and Puget are merely exploiting AFI's popularity to branch out.
Regardless, Blaqk Audio's ambitious first attempt definitely reveals
potential and is worth exploring.