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Textual Analysis • NME 27/08/11
Colour The background is a light blue colour, with white and yellow writing in order to create a big contrast between background and foreground, which gives easy visibility and readability. Also, red highlights are used for the most important pieces of information, where the editors wanted the audience to focus. Also, the image of the artist has quite a lot of black, which could mean Layout and design The focus of the cover is the image, and everything else is situated according to the position of the image. The artist’s name is situated below them, letting the audience know who’s image is on their front cover. The rest of the information is spread out on the page and positioned around the model’s face, which tells us that the most important thing on the page - and perhaps in the magazine - is this particular artist. This shows that the artist on the front cover is very important and is probably the main feature of this issue. Images The image of the artist on the front cover is used as the center of attention on the page, as the audience will look at the image first, which will most likely grab their attention. If they know the artist from looking at the image, they are probably interested in what the magazine has to offer about this artist. If they do not, the image is quite attention drawing, therefore the audience will most likely become interested in who the person on the front cover is, therefore drawing them in and reading the magazine. Pose, style, hair, makeup The pose of the model is quite unique, as the model is looking down on the audience, it can be quite intimidating, almost as he is telling the audience to buy the magazine and read about them. The style of the model is quite mediocre, it is not particularly any extreme of any genre. This might suggest that the music of the artist can be enjoyed by anyone. Composition and Framing The shot of the model is a mid close-up, which shows that the audience needs to focus on the face of the artist rather than their outfit, which could mean that personality is more important than style and genre. Also, the colour of the background suggests that the model is under the sky, possibly at a festival or a gig. Written codes The phrase saying “record together in New York” suggests that these two bands - Vaccines and Strokes - are similar genres of music. This could mean that the fans of one band would probably listen to the other band as well if they are not already. Language The text on the front page is quite short and informative, meaning that there are not too many full sentences used, rather than short phrases that tell the audience important information. The rest of the text if phrased so that it is as if the editor is talking directly to the reader (“Get ready for...”), which suggest that the readers are considered to be very close to the editors of the magazine, as if they knew each other very well. Overall impression With the focus being the face of the artist, the outstanding text and the unique pose of the model, this is a very effective front cover. The image draws the reader in, the contrast between the background and the foreground makes the audience instantly read the highlighted text, and the language familiarizes the reader with the magazine, making them want to read on. Front Page
Colour On this page there are a variety of colours on a white background, which makes the images stand out from the background. The writing is in a traditional black colour, which makes it easy for the audience to read the text. All images except one is in a traditional colour scheme, which gives a sense of realism to the page. One of the photos is in black and white, which makes it stand out from the rest of the images, however in the same time it also blends in with the writing and the background. Layout and design The main focus of this page is the larger image in the middle of the page, where the eyes of the reader will go first. The rest of the images are laid out around the larger image in the middle. This highlights the importance of the image in the middle, which is the main feature in this issue of the magazine. Each image has a couple of lines in order to give a bit of information about the different features in the magazine. Also, there is an advertisement in the bottom right corner of the magazine, which promotes an NME subscription. Images The images on this page are images of artists that are included in this issue of the magazine. Most of them are taken during certain events, such as recording sessions, gigs and festivals and tours. These images give an insight into what the life of a musician is like, which is great content, as most readers are fascinated by certain artists, and a feature like this would be great to include in a magazine. Pose, style, hair, makeup Two of the images are taken while the artists are performing, therefore they would pose as their stage presence would be. This could give the band an image and a style straight away. Other images were taken especially with the intention of them being used in magazines, therefore the artists would be posing as they are being interviewed or in a way that it represents their style and genre. Their style is presented through their body language, facial expressions, the clothes they wear and also their surroundings. This is done deliberately in order to show what the are like. Composition and Framing In one of the photos, a band member was cut off n the photo; as their upper body is not visible, only their legs and their instrument. This is quite unusual, as in most cases all of the band members can be seen on the photo, unless it is a performance photo. It also stands out from most of the other photos on the page where all band members are included in the photo. Written codes One of the captions on the page say “We ate a pig’s face, a pigeon and a whale’s blowhole” which is a humorous way to say that the band is talking about their diet (while on tour). This sort of language is most likely appealing to the younger audience, such as teenagers and young adults. Another caption states “We stole chilli sauce then vomited on a security guard” which tells the audience a story from the band’s adventures, telling us that the lives of an artist on tour is interesting and energetic. Language Phrases such as “vomited on a security guard”, “No animals were harmed” and “Bombay Bicycle Club are sick bastards” gives a humorous and friendly tone to the magazine, which is good as the readers will feel comfortable and think that they belong with the readers and the editors of this magazine, as they are similar people. Overall impression Overall, the page is very informative. It first gives us images to look at, which gives us a vague idea of what is included in the magazine, then there are captions which give us a bit more information about the articles included. The purpose of this page is to give information of what is included in the magazine, and this is fulfilled in an interesting and effective way. Contents page
Colour Once again. a white background is used with black text and a red coloured highlight of the most important pieces of information. Layout and design The main image of the page is laid out across the two pages, and is behind several other smaller images, which creates an effect that makes the readers think that the image is the background of the page, as other images are on top of it. Also, the images are positioned around the large image, which suggests that the large image tells the reader what the page is about when the glance at it, and the smaller images add more context to the page, giving more visual information about the content. Images The main image of the page is an artist performing at a gig, which tells the readers what artist the page is going to be about. It is a great picture to introduce the band, as it is showing them performing, and sets the image and style of the band in the readers’ minds when they look at it. The rest of the images feature the band while performing at various events. This shows the artist from different times, and again, gives an idea of the artist’s style and genre. Pose, style, hair, makeup The pose of the band member is a pose while he is performing at one of the band’s gigs. This shows that the band is active and is performing to this day. The guitar shows the genre of music the band is playing and the design of guitar can reflect on the genre of music as well. The artist is in jeans and a t-shirt which shows he is casual and is up to the current fashion trends. On the other hand, he is wearing a blazer, which means that he is elegant and professional. This in a combination creates the image of the band. Composition and Framing The first thing the audience will se when looking at the page is the large image of the band member, then the title, as it is a large, bold font then the smaller images and lastly, the text. The large image grabs the attention as the model is in a pose where they are looking over the camera (and the readers) and therefore it is a bit intimidating, however it is still a great picture as the readers will most likely feel like they are at a gig, looking at the performance of the band. Written codes The title says ‘This could go either way…’, which grabs the attention of the readers as those who are the fans of the band will want to know what is going with the band, while those who are not familiar with the band might be interested because they would want to find out what the story is about. The title is effective as it gives the readers little information, no introduction or scene setting, which will make people want to find out what is going to happen. Language As most of the page contains information from an interview with the artist, it is mostly formal language. The language is mostly informative as the interview was going to kind out opinions and plans of the band members, however the language of the answers given reflects the style of the band as well. Apart from the interview, there was some information about upcoming gigs and the plans of the band, which was a bit more causal language, as it was addressed to the readers themselves. Overall impression The page is full of information and the images help by giving visual information as well as make the page interesting and look better. This is a very informative page with a strong introduction to the band to those who do not know them already. Double page spread
