Analysis of ROCK SOUND Feature Page
*ADD PICTURE OF FEATURE*
This double page music spread from 'Rock Sound' makes use of graphology in such a way that it appeals to the specific audience required to sell this particular genre of magazine. Through the likes of typography, imagery, background, layout and juxtaposition.Though this is not an Indie magazine, the band is Inide, and I feel as though it is appropriate to analyse and will give me an insight to suitable features I could potentially use. The purpose of this text it to inform, persuade and entertain. In the majority of music magazines, there are certain social factors of which are present. The primary target audience is teenagers, from the ages of 14-18, and of whom are interested in rock music. It also opens up to a wider audience, attracting people up to the age of 27. They must be interested in this genre of music, otherwise the magazine will be full of unfamiliar bands and music they dislike. Though this double page spread looks as though it should be something of which attracts males, predominantly, females will be attracted to it as this is the bands largest social fan base. Students who are white and relatively rebellious is the stereotype that hangs over this article, and this stereotype has been used by the producers of the magazine to attract this particular audience.
Of course, the headline has been typed in capitals as a typical feature of any article, initiating a subconscious excitement within the audience, especially if 'Biffy Clyro' is a band of which the readers either favour or recognise. The font of the headline is similar to fonts such as 'Dirty Ego' and 'Boycott'. A grunge appearance takes the style of the headline, which is not such a typical thing to expect when it comes to an article on a indie band, as grunge is a style of music itself, taken on by old bands such as Nirvana. This still appeals to them nevertheless, as it makes them feel slightly more edged towards rebellion and going against 'the system'. Osgerby's 1998 theory therefore applies to this particular article, even if this is not conceived as a negative representation by the youth culture. He says “We do not have to search too hard to find negative representations of youth in postwar Britain. Crime, violence and sexual licence have been recurring themes in the media’s treatment of youth culture, the degeneracy of the youth depiction as indicative of a steady disintegration of the UK’s social fabric”.
In terms of typography, the predominant text present throughout the article is jet black, particularly small at font size 7, and a thin version of the font 'impact'. The reasoning for the contrast of the black text on the white background is to ensure the audience is easily able to read the text; it is striking, rather than acting as though it is camouflaged. Directly at the beginning of the article is the 'I', typed in the exact same font of the headline and is the same size. This is a typical feature of articles, and can be found in almost every one. It draws attention to the start of the article, enticing the audience into reading it. The only quotation that has been enlarged to stand out, has been successful in doing so. It is basically the inverted version of the text, showing a unique side to the magazine. The background of this quote is black, and the writing is white, creating a high contrast between the two, which is simple to read, especially for people who have difficultly when it comes to reading. This contrast draws the readers eye, taking the best part of the interview and inciting the audience. It has been typed with the font 'American Typewriter' indicating that there is a vintage style present in the text, which is appealing to the people who are interested in Indie, as there is a stereotype that they love vintage clothing and objects. The questions the interviewer asked the front man are in bold, connoting how the questions are of more importance than the answer in a sense, because the reader would not know what the question was if there was only an answer.
The main image is a common convention of every article. This allows focus of the subject and purpose of the article, through the use of star vehicles. It is above the article itself, for the purpose of presenting WHO the article is about, Biffy Clyro, before presenting WHAT the article is about, their album. This allows recognition for the band, and anyone who recognises them and enjoys their music will automatically feel an obligation to read the article. There is a slight comical element to the central image, as the front man is making a face which would not be suitable for a solemn photograph, implying to the audience that the band is not only entertaining, but comical people themselves.
The wide angle mid shot of the Indie band has a high contrast due to the effects of editing. This gives a certain melancholic look to it, reinforcing the strong stereotype which is related to this particular. Though this could just be the editors of the magazine attempting to ensure the correct audiencee is reached and find it appealing; they would not use bright, bold colours of which portray happy emotions, as 'mainstream' music and music magazines is overly often seen using this specific colour palette. The target audience would believe that it is just another mainstream magainze and would not look twice. The vocalist and guitarist of the band has been placed in a position to make him look taller than the others, also in front of them, giving off the impression that he is the dominant male of the band, and has more power over the audience than the other two members. Another picture of which is highly contrasted is the album cover. They have edited it in such a way to ensure the picture is of a warm colour palette, but the door and reflection of light are cold colours. this is a suggestion that, along with the missing piece of him lying on the floor, something he loves is vacating, creating an emotional response within the reader, feeling empathy of perhaps being able to relate to those feelings.
'If the hyperbole surrounding the release of Biffy Clyro's long-awaited new record is to be believe, this is the one to send the trio stratospheric', exclamatory sentences, such as this, have been used to put emphasis on the optimism towards this particular album. This is especially used in the first sentence to put this across to the audience immediately. The article also makes the album appear to be better than it is through prominence. This ensures the audience are excited for the release of the album, and heightens their emotions, particularly the target audience of teenage girls, due to their hormones.
Columns, as a typical aspect of articles, are present to ensure the article does not look like a daunting string of words, but rather easy to read, which would widen their audience, as people who, perhaps, are not particularly good at reading will not feel as intimidated by the text. There is not a clear gap between each paragraph, this usually breaks the text up. It is a small text, so this is understandable, it would not look very sophisticated. Though, the Q and A on the other side, naturally, is structured in paragraphs to break up the questions so the audience can comprehend where each question starts. This part of the text is located to the right, almost in line with the article, as to not take away attention from the article itself, and the reader will look forward to reading it. The heading introduces the band to the reader, or for readers who already know the band, excites them. It is located underneath the main image, which tells the audience what the bands name is and that it is them. It attracts people and draws them in. Positioned in the article, and interrupting two columns, is a quotation from the interview, which is always one of the most interesting quotations used in magazines as a common convention to grasp the attention of the viewer. This particular magazine expresses its informal qualities. Neat, lined up bode have not been used to line the text, but avoided entirely. The text overlaps the picture, which the reader feel slightly comforted by the fact that it is not flu of formality, and the environment included within the text is relaxed and entertaining. The text boxes overlap each other in a rough manner, representing the stereotype that bounds itself to this audience. The image overlaps the centre of the page, and the audience can see that it comes down after the headline, but the majority bellow this cannot be seen. This is to ensure the piece does not have a blocky appearance. The columns positioned underneath he headline and next to it break up the text. In the top left of the spread, it is easy to spot a convention of which is usually common within covers of magazines, the head of a member of the band overlapping a box of text.
Overall, I feel as though this is a good style model to base my own article on. Though I do feel as though an image which spreads across a page rather than sitting in a box might be much more appropriate. I will obviously use columns, and perhaps a grunge-like font. I also enjoy the fact that the imagery is relatively comical, and I would love to add this sort of tone to my own feature article. One thing I will not do is had a 'review' section down the side of the page.
The wide angle mid shot of the Indie band has a high contrast due to the effects of editing. This gives a certain melancholic look to it, reinforcing the strong stereotype which is related to this particular. Though this could just be the editors of the magazine attempting to ensure the correct audiencee is reached and find it appealing; they would not use bright, bold colours of which portray happy emotions, as 'mainstream' music and music magazines is overly often seen using this specific colour palette. The target audience would believe that it is just another mainstream magainze and would not look twice. The vocalist and guitarist of the band has been placed in a position to make him look taller than the others, also in front of them, giving off the impression that he is the dominant male of the band, and has more power over the audience than the other two members. Another picture of which is highly contrasted is the album cover. They have edited it in such a way to ensure the picture is of a warm colour palette, but the door and reflection of light are cold colours. this is a suggestion that, along with the missing piece of him lying on the floor, something he loves is vacating, creating an emotional response within the reader, feeling empathy of perhaps being able to relate to those feelings.
'If the hyperbole surrounding the release of Biffy Clyro's long-awaited new record is to be believe, this is the one to send the trio stratospheric', exclamatory sentences, such as this, have been used to put emphasis on the optimism towards this particular album. This is especially used in the first sentence to put this across to the audience immediately. The article also makes the album appear to be better than it is through prominence. This ensures the audience are excited for the release of the album, and heightens their emotions, particularly the target audience of teenage girls, due to their hormones.
Columns, as a typical aspect of articles, are present to ensure the article does not look like a daunting string of words, but rather easy to read, which would widen their audience, as people who, perhaps, are not particularly good at reading will not feel as intimidated by the text. There is not a clear gap between each paragraph, this usually breaks the text up. It is a small text, so this is understandable, it would not look very sophisticated. Though, the Q and A on the other side, naturally, is structured in paragraphs to break up the questions so the audience can comprehend where each question starts. This part of the text is located to the right, almost in line with the article, as to not take away attention from the article itself, and the reader will look forward to reading it. The heading introduces the band to the reader, or for readers who already know the band, excites them. It is located underneath the main image, which tells the audience what the bands name is and that it is them. It attracts people and draws them in. Positioned in the article, and interrupting two columns, is a quotation from the interview, which is always one of the most interesting quotations used in magazines as a common convention to grasp the attention of the viewer. This particular magazine expresses its informal qualities. Neat, lined up bode have not been used to line the text, but avoided entirely. The text overlaps the picture, which the reader feel slightly comforted by the fact that it is not flu of formality, and the environment included within the text is relaxed and entertaining. The text boxes overlap each other in a rough manner, representing the stereotype that bounds itself to this audience. The image overlaps the centre of the page, and the audience can see that it comes down after the headline, but the majority bellow this cannot be seen. This is to ensure the piece does not have a blocky appearance. The columns positioned underneath he headline and next to it break up the text. In the top left of the spread, it is easy to spot a convention of which is usually common within covers of magazines, the head of a member of the band overlapping a box of text.
Overall, I feel as though this is a good style model to base my own article on. Though I do feel as though an image which spreads across a page rather than sitting in a box might be much more appropriate. I will obviously use columns, and perhaps a grunge-like font. I also enjoy the fact that the imagery is relatively comical, and I would love to add this sort of tone to my own feature article. One thing I will not do is had a 'review' section down the side of the page.
Excellent understanding of issues around audience, institution, technology, representation, forms and conventions in relation to production
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