CEXCELLS - BLAQK AUDIO
Blaqk Audio made its presence known on MySpace earlier this year before revealing itself as the electronic side project of AFI’s Jade Puget and Davey Havok. With “CexCells,” the pair delivers an emotionally charged collection that pays homage to pioneering dance/rock/electronic acts like Depeche Mode, Visage and Human League. Havoc’s vocals, at times, even recall those of League leader Phil Oakey. Puget’s programming and keyboard work, meanwhile, would not sound out of place in a DJ set by Paul Van Dyk or Tiesto — particularly on tracks like “Again, Again and Again” and “On a Friday.” Album opener “Stiff Kittens” is equal parts AFI and Information Society, while closer “Wake Up, Open the Door and Escape to the Sea” is primed for chill-out lounges.
