Customer Reviews

Cexcells

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Under the stand alone banner of "Blaqk Audio" the main creative force behind AFI decide to finally tackle the electronic pop and dance influences that have become increasingly apparent and dominant in their signature outfit. However this is anything but a tongue in cheek tribute album to their favotite retro bands, nor is it a goofy imitation of them. With "Cexcells," Davey and Jade in fact seem to be searching for their own voice in a somewhat alien medium. Simliarities to AFI are inevitable with Davey bringing a familiar tragic urgency to his vocals and mysterious lyrics while Jade's song compositions are once again aimed toward the anthemic with faint melancholy always lingering beneath the surface. While many of the songs have dance elements, they come across more as personal anthems to sing alone in your bedroom than songs to shake your booty to at a club.

Musically the album features the all to familiar sounds of electronic music: pulsing electric melodies, upbeat drum machines, snyth washed guitar ...etc. However, Jade manages to find some character in the cliche with weeping piano melodies and fresh dramatic arrangements. He doesn't reivent the genre or anything drastic but he does manage to create an effective emotional backdrop for the album's most crucial element, the unique vocal stylings of Davey Havok. Exploring his natural lower register more than ever before, Davey's performances ooze undersated sexuality and mature longing while still containing the energetic spark of his punk background. The aggression of AFI is gone but his ability to make a chorus as goofy as "Strip for me as I strip for you" sound like a spiritual call to arms is nothing short of remarkable; new wave or even most electric goth never sounded this convincingly urgent and flat out important.

Sadly, the album does have the unmistkable aura of well...a side project. While "CexCells" does indeed feel like an exhausting labor of love, the overall experience and accomplished epic scope of the last several AFI releases is noticably absent. This is very much a song orientated singles album that sadly comes off as being a tad top heavy with the boys possibly showing all their cards too soon; though the "b-side" is worthwhile there are no more surprises. Highlights include the somewhat raunchy grind of the single "Stiff Kittens," the harsh industrial touches of the dynamic shifting "Between Breaths," the uplifting dance/goth anthem "Snuff on Digital," the quietly desperate romance of "Fear of Being Found," and finally the climatic new wave powerhouse "Cities by Night."

I think like most AFI fans I have been eagerly awaiting this record since Davey and Jade announced it back after the release of "Sing the Sorrow", and also, like a lot of AFI fans, I was beginning to wonder if it would ever actually materialize after around, oh, the third year since the announcement of this groups inception with no music heard (with the exception of "37mm" from "decemberunderground", which gives you a pretty good point of reference for what you're going to get here). But when I saw that the song "Bitter For Sweet" was up on their MySpace page, I immediatley went and listened to it and became even more excited to hear the album.

So after three years of anticipation does this record live up to the anticipation? Well, yes and no.

"CexCells", the debut from Davey and Jade's side project Blaqk Audio, is a fully competent and at times exciting electronic album that bridges (the none to sizeable gap) between VNV Nation and "Black Celebration"-era Depeche Mode. Jade handles the production and the instrumentation while Davey takes care of the vocals and lyrics.

Jade has done a fine job with the music, layering keyboards and atmospherics excellently, all complimented by well programmed beats. Davey lowers his vocal register and loses most of his emotional balance that he showcases on AFI records to compliment Jade's programming to give the record an interesting, detached feel throughout.

But two problems come up when listening to "CexCells". One, the production that Jade gives to the songs can occasionally suffocate the songs and give them a sort of same sounding vibe after all (this is a problem with many electronic albums, however.) Also, occasionally, Blaqk Audio focus and leans a little too much on mood songs rather than creating memorable melodies. A few songs stand out--- the aforementioned "Bitter For Sweet", "Stiff Kittens", "Between Breaths", "On A Friday" and "Again, Again and Again" most notably--- but most of the rest just fade into each other. And though this allows for the record to have a continueus flow, it does make it a little monotonous at times.

But "CexCells" is a debut, and like all the best debuts, the potential to be great is there. And unlike most side projects, Blaqk Audio neither lean to heavily on their day job nor run completly away from what makes the main band great. AFI fans and fans of electronic music should eat up "CexCells" and purchase it immediatley. But it isn't flawless.

But it does make me anticpate the next Blaqk Audio record as much as the next AFI record.

Finally some good electronica/futurepop music. Davey's vocals were meant for this kind of creepy music, I swear. The only thing I was a little disappointed about is that Jade doesn't provide any vocals. Other than that, it's amazing. Like AFI a hundred years in the future (picture Davey wearing skin-tight chrome pants xD).

So I think that fans of AFI will love this. And Blaqk Audio might just pull in some new fans along the way, both for itself and AFI.

Having been a fan of AFI since 1997 this CD was a "must-buy" for me. If you like electronic, techno, industrial music, or really love Davey's voice, then you will enjoy this CD. Some of the songs are similar in style to the things off DECEMBERUNDERGROUND, while others are unique and more electronic. Try out the song previews. What you hear on there is pretty much what the album sounds like.

Simple put, this album is Amazing. Not one weak track on this album. From slightly moody and sultry to downright booty shaking this album grabs you and rocks you! Buy it!! you won't be disapointed.

Even though this is a drastic change from their typical music style, Davey Havok and Jade Puget did an amazing job at creating a dance album. I would highly recommend this album if you are a fan of bands like Depeche Mode or AFI.

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.

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.

I heard the single stiff kittens and absolutely enjoyed it. That single drove me to by the album. After listening to the album once over i thought it was awesome. It reminded me a lot of Depeche Mode songs: "happiest girl", "sea of sin", "strange love"( music for the masses version), and especially "a pain that I'm used to". all and all its a great album. They have their own sound. You won't be disappointed. favorite songs on the album are stiff kittens and snuff on digital.

I have never been a huge AFI fan, basically Davey's voice was a bit annoying to me, but on this album he has found his niche. His voice was truly meant for this sort of music, not the hardcore punk of the earlier years, or the emoish influenced crap of recent years. I really think he should throw himself full fledged into this genre, it really works for him! There is a strong Depeche Mode flavor, obviously, but anyone remember Camouflage, a German late 80s group (Great Commandment)? Well I think I hear even more influence from them (of course they were accused of being a DM knockoff) I also trace some OMD and Ultravox shadings in the music and singing. Actually I gave it 4 stars, but it comes close to a five star project.