The world of electronica is gaining popularity amongst nearly all demographics, though this phenomenon is not widely acknowledged. Artists dating back to the early '80s, such as Laurie Anderson, have been experimenting with computerized sounds and loops in many different ways, such as Anderson did on her 1982 hit "O Superman."
Many recent artists have revived this interest in new-wave style electronic music: Daft Punk, VnV Nation and even Madonna are just a few of them. But Blaqk Audio, the side project of Davey Havok and Jade Puget, the lead singer and guitarist of famous rock group AFI, is the first to pay homage to '80s acts such as The Cure with their infectious new album, "Cex Cells."
First and foremost, this is not an album exclusively for die-hard fans of AFI; for that matter, most people who don't like AFI will like this album, and vice versa. "Cex Cells" is a look back at the pop music that influenced the writers, Puget and Havok, but most certainly should not be brushed off as a nostalgia album. That said, the album isn't really a "pop" album either; in fact it resembles Nine Inch Nails in sound more than The Cure or The Smiths, as it focuses more on beats and synth bass lines than choruses and verses.
The first single from the album, "Stiff Kittens," a title that is assuredly entirely devoid of meaning, is, surprisingly, not the best song on the album. The track starts off strong with phaser-laden synths playing the "riff" of the song but quickly becomes rather boring with the synths dropping out, leaving Havoc's voice alone with the lackluster drumbeat and bass line. If the group really wanted the first single to be smashing, they should definitely have put more effort into developing a catchy hook. Although the song isn't awful, there's nothing that really pulls the listener in to the music.
The rest of the album, however, fortunately does not follow suit. The third track, "Snuff on Digital," should have been the first single.
Although the song sounds a bit generic at first, Havok's voice thankfully changes the tone of the song to something much more depressing. The lyrics of this particular song also reflect the digital, electronic nature of the music with the chorus being, "descending quickly with hopes of sharing/ All the things you've shared with me/ I'll chase the digital eyes below me."
What exactly this means is anyone's guess, but it sure sounds cool when sung over a pounding electronic drumbeat. And in the end, that's what pop music is really about, isn't it?
Another notable track is the new-wave-inspired "Where Would You Like Them Left?" It must be noted that this track title fits in with the nonsensical names of the others, this time sounding like the UPS guy's drop-off line. From the piano-and-shaker intro to the slow rising single-note synthesizer line that slithers through the song, this tune is clearly reminiscent of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven" or any other generic '80s synth-pop.
"Where Would You Like Them Left?" is most definitely one of the best-written songs - in terms of lyrics - on the album. Those familiar with AFI know that Davey Havok absolutely loves his metaphors and similes, but with Blaqk Audio, he leaves such grammatical constructs behind in favor of simple, meaningful lines. "Strip for me as I have stripped for you/ We've got nothing to hide and less to lose," Havok croons in "Where Would You Like Them Left?"
For those who are picky downloaders, the surest bet for a great tune is "Semiotic Love," the closest thing from Blaqk Audio (or AFI) to a typical love song.
Even though the last line is, "I'll stare forever and love whatever breaks my heart," the song is surprisingly upbeat, mainly due to the beat and Sandstorm-esque synthesizer hook. The song, in content, is heinously depressing, but for some reason, the melody brings to mind a room full of middle-school girls dancing around to a Britney Spears song (or whoever the kids like these days).
If this album sounds vaguely appealing, it's most likely going to be a smart purchase, namely because it is clear-cut dance music throughout, so you'll never find a track with a simple, enunciated four-on-the-floor drumbeat.
Blaqk Audio somehow unites the most depressing lyrics and the most upbeat music, creating what can only be dubbed "neo-new-wave."
