NME Contents Analysis

NME Contents Analysis.

This NME contents simply consists of one large image covering a high percentage of the page, leaving little space at the side where the contents is listed. The image shows a band, this band is Blur. They’re at a premier reunited. This interests fans to what premier and why they were there. Aswell as the excitement of their reunion.

The colour scheme is continued from the front cover; this colour scheme consists of red, black and white. The paper of the magazine is made of a similar material to a newspaper, this is because when NME started it was much bigger, similar size to a newspaper, however as time progressed the size was compact but to keep some of the authenticity the material was kept the same.

The ‘Snapshot’ title, says the same as a ‘contents’ does it gives you an insight to what’s inside. The capitalised letters grab your attention more than lower case would do. The text ‘What’s inside contrasts with the ‘snapshot’ as this is white text on black background, this and the size distinguish a difference between the two phrases, this also applies with the ‘News’ in the top right hand corner. This just displays what section of the magazine you are at. This runs throughout the entire magazine.

The costume of the band show their casual attitude to the reunion they’re not out making a big deal about themselves. There is not a dress code between them just casual jeans, top and jacket. This shows their individuality. Their expressions indicate a happy return along with the body language such as arms around each other show unison and comfort amongst each other. The text related to this article has a bold heading the use of movie in brackets make the reader intrigued as to why this has been used. The article then goes on to explain that the band has made a film. The red ‘I’ draws attention to read the article. The red carpet represents importance. In the top left hand corner the date of when the image was taken, this connotes to the reader how relevant and up to date the story is.

The main contents are listed on the left hand side. The text is in red to add some colour, in this issue it coincides nicely with the red carpet and ‘I’’. Untypical of magazines is that the content is listed not in categories but in alphabetical order. The majority of the contents listed are artists. This is a typical convention of NME magazines.

The banner along the bottom of the page promotes a deal to their dedicated readers. The offer invites them to subscribe and get 85p off every issue. This will be inviting to readers because a weekly cost of £2.20 can add up for someone who only has little money to spend. There are no alternating colours to distract you from the information given. The image of the magazine in the bottom right hand corner simply shows the reader an example of what they can get.

Kerrang Contents Page Analysis.

Kerrang Contents - Analysis.

Contents pages are a simply way to express what’s inside. Nearly all magazines have a contents page which is more often than not on the page opposite the front page, so when you open the cover it’s the first thing you see.

In this example you have the title Contents is in yellow this is because it stands out against the black background. What’s unusual in Kerrang magazines is the use of issue number and date. This allows the audience to keep up to date with the issues.

Featured double spreads are across the top half of the page with an large image of Soundgarden, this could possibly be because the editor feels like it’s a bigger story or they are less well known that either Hollywood Undead or Enter Shikari.

As usual in Kerrang magazines the editor writes a little note. In this particular contents page it’s on the left hand side. The picture that’s posted above the snippet of information is of the editor herself, she’s an attractive woman and the audience can see whose work they are reading. It gives the magazine a personal touch.

Once again you know you’re reading Kerrang as they paste in a border across the middle of the page. It’s a good place to position it as it’s just before the headings of what’s inside, again with the colours they contrast standing out. “This Week” represents the news as being current and up to date, what the readers want to know.

The main contents page is sectioned off under different headings: Feedback, News, Poster Special, The Rev, Live Reviews, Features, Album Reviews, Gig Guide and K! Quiz. Each heading has a different number of stories. To make the headings stand out yellow writing on a black background was used to keep the contents colour scheme continuing. This contents follows the typical style of contents and listing stories with matching numerical page numbers. Each story that has been mentioned on the cover has a black star in a red circle; these highlight the main stories that drew the readers’ attention to the magazine in the firs place.

In the bottom right hand corner there is the option to subscribe so you never miss a copy of the magazine. Again the colour scheme is kept in sync with the use of yellow, white, black and red. The red banner with the white writing contrasts well. The use of the magazines overlapping this text simply shows what their money buys.

The few pictures on the bottom half of the page, little pictures are used. This is to make more room for the contents to be pasted in a neat order

Q Contents Page Analysis.

The contents page in this magazine is spread over tow pages. You also find it a few pages in from the front, which is not like other magazines when they are located the first page after the front cover. Q has it 4 pages into the magazine with adverts previous to this. This is not a conventional place to have a contents page.

The Q at the top of the left hand page is in the style of an award, representing that it sees itself with award winning information and style. The red banner is always along the top of the double page spread keeping with the style of the front colour. Red is there house style colour, it’s present in every issue of the magazine. Inside the banner the Contents is in black contrasting with the red but also not fitting in with the white so each word is related to something different. Its in the left hand corner simply because we read from left to right, it makes sense to place it there and continue onto the next page. The issue number allows dedicated readers to keep up to date with issues to make sure they don’t miss an issue.

Through out the rest of the contents the colour scheme continues with red, white and black, this keeps the reader informed that the information has not changed.

What’s also not conventional like other magazines are that Q does not order its contents in numerical order, but instead the contents are listed under headings. Such as ‘Features’, ‘Regulars’ and ‘The Q Review’.

This is neither more confusing nor simpler for the reader. For many readers they start reading from the front page to the last. Each heading is underlined in red indicates what’s the title and then a little piece of information underneath it, to engross the reader.

The cluster of images in the centre make the contents more eye catching and draws attention to it, the images used are of the main stories inside the magazine and gives the reader a taster of what’s to come. Each image has either the number in black or white, depending on the colour of the background to contrast.

Each image is not a different story they are still mentioned under one of the headings. The main image is of Oasis is the largest on the pages representing that this particular story is the biggest story in this magazine. The images printed are either the most popular wanted stories or they are unknown and trying to promote them.

The image of Q magazine at the top right hand corner is of the front cover of this particular magazine.

The layout of this overall contents page is neat and nicely spaced layout representing that this magazine is aimed at a older audience than a magazine like Kerrang.

We Are The Ocean- Double Page Spread Analysis.

We Are The Ocean - Double Page Spread Analysis.

Unlike typical magazine articles this article on We Are The Ocean, is laid out differently. There is a main image, however this takes up the entire spread and there is no main bulk of text. Instead there are mini profiles on each member of the band. This attracts fans of the band as the profiles reveal information on individual members.

The image is set on a plain white background this is so no attention is drawn away from the band. However a red coloured ripple effect has been added, to correspond with the pun “making waves”. This refers to the bands name We Are The Ocean, it’s cleverly added as it blends in with the theme and making waves can be suggested as making noise or havoc in the music industry.

The boxed text of We Are The Ocean reiterates who the article is about if you aren’t familiar with the band, this ties in nicely with the pun next to it. The black box and red

The image is evenly spread across the double page, each band member having an equal size space representing that each member is valued as equal, neither one is more important they function together. This is a positive image on young fans, teaching them to work together.

The image is in faded colours, in this article because they give the article depth. It also fits with the rest of the colour scheme and neither the text or image stand out more than each other. This gives equal attention to the clever pun. The colours used are different from what you would expect We Are The Ocean would use because you would associate ocean with different shades of blue. The outfit’s the band are wearing don’t stand out they blend in with the theme; they’re casually dressed meaning they don’t have to try hard, to get noticed.

Each member has a cheeky expression this symbolizes the bands personality and approach towards the music industry. It also displays a bright insight to rock music; they have a smile which many rock musicians refuse to wear.

The little profiles are in fact mini interviews. They are easy to read and they easily illustrate who said what, which is sometimes difficult to decipher within interviews.

If you are new to this band as they are relatively new to the music industry, this is an easy and quick way to learn the members and a lot about them with the use of personal questions. The use of the red and the black writing identifies which is the question and answer but also the red and black ties the overall image of the article together. The thought bubbles around the text simply emphasize that, that information came from that particular member.

The clip of text in the top right hand corner gives some information as to why they are featured in the article this is a good way to promote their forthcoming album. There are a few puns in the text that reflects the bands aura and name for example “make a splash.” Also to promote themselves along the bottom right hand corner in a banner they have the release date of their new album. This is great positioning as this is where people go to turn the page so it catches their eye.

Hollywood Undead- Double Page Spread Analysis.

Hollywood undead - Double Page Spread Analysis

This double page spread is set on a picturesque background of a pinky purple sunset. This represents that the darkness is coming, symbolising the type of music Hollywood undead play. In the bottom right hand side of the page there are gravestones, emphasizing the dark side. No body wants to be at a graveyard at night. The effect of the background is effective as it contrasts very well with the image of the band. They’re wearing dark colours against a bright sky. Giving them that dramatic image, if they were against a dark background they wouldn’t stand out they’d blend in, which for this band is not a look they want to go for.

The image is what the eye is drawn to first. In this case this is because the image takes up 70% of the pages, making it hard to miss. The dark clothing worn represents the dark dramatic side of the music industry. Each band member is wearing an either black or white mask, except the leader who wears a blue one to stand out more. You can tell he’s the leader as he is also standing at the front of the group and they line up behind him. The masks can be classed as horrific, however as the article states they’re not there to hide their identity they’re simply to make the band stand out against the masses of bands trying to make it. However some can say that the use of masks display the element of hidden identity, they can kick back have a good time listening to the band, but then also lead their lives in ways the band don’t sarcasm doesn’t suggest.

Again the colours of black and white have been used because they contrast against each other, the same colour scheme has been used for the heading as well. The colours black and white suggest opposite and controversial views, the Ying and Yang effect, love and hate. You either love or hate them and they don’t care. The band aren’t dressed in a particular style like other bands would wear co-ordinating clothes. They wear what they want the band except the main singer are wearing black, it stands out but together they blend in, in harmony where as the leader has to be known and therefore wears a beige colour jacket. The overall image is masculine however the lead singer has a feminine tattoo of butterflies on his hands this shows that you don’t have to fit in with one category you can be who you want. This effect is also reiterated with the scarf and sunglasses attached to the jacket which you wouldn’t normally see on a rock band.

The image gets the message across about them being controversial but the text which in all respect is the most important concept of an article also suggests this image. This is represented by the use of black and white text again, also the main heading even lists what these colours represent, “Loved, Loathed, Twisted and Controversial.” The colours look as if they slightly glow against the background, the glow can be perceived as pride of what they are labelled as.

The font used for ‘Hollywood Undead’ is in the style of the Hollywood sign itself. This represents the good life. This part of the article uses colours that blend nicely with the background. The article has used enough contrast; colours that don’t constantly contrast each other are easier to read. Typical of nearly all magazines is that they write articles in a newspaper style and this is no exception. With two neat columns. Text that the journalists find to be particularly interesting or humorous they highlight or put in a separate box to make it stand out. In this article the highlighted and sectioned off text represents the entire band as it says “weird”. This tells the audience that it is ok to weird, be your self. No one should mind. As its something the lead singer has said fans would be inspired. As they look up to them.

My Chemical Romance-Double Page Spread Analysis

My Chemical Romance - Double Page Spread Analysis

The band featured in this double page spread is My Chemical Romance, there very well known acronym of MCR. I know this because the acronym and there name is repeated twice within a short space. First the acronym and then their name. The alternative colours on the background draw attention. The plain black background makes it easy to follow the text, the colour black is also a dramatic colour, it also represents the unknown and fear, in a sense that the new MCR releases (which the article talks about) are unheard.

The alternative lines of red and white make it easier to read than each word an alternating colour. The red represents the band as passionate and seek danger. The white contrasts well and is used for the ying and yang effect, symbolizing love and hate. The colours contrast well against each other they're different and stand out which says a lot for their followers, who also stand out against the crowd and don’t follow status quo.

The writing is slanted instead of straight also showing difference and untidiness.Where the text starts the first letter is in bold and red, the "M" stands for the band.As usual the article is set in a newspaper style in columns.

Following the colour scheme, so you know it's all part of one article the "News" and the "world exclusive!" are also in red the arrow points toward the article suggesting that this information isn’t found any where else, making the reader feel privileged to read an exclusive interview. it also can attract new readers if the tag world exclusive interview with MCR on the cover.

The pictures used are in sepia, it subtracts the entire colour from the image suggesting that they've stripped down all the chaos and they're going in a new direction there will be no distraction from the new album focusing mainly on the music.

Each image shows a different story the main image identifies the lead singer Gerard Way with he’s' head down this is a dramatic pose, showing a breath from performing hands on the mic show power in he’s performance.

The image to the right of Gerard shows Mikey Ways eye contact with the crowd during the performance, this connotes dedication and confidence towards his music.

The third image, of the members of the band conversing, this could be meaning commitment towards their music and their fans to provide the best music possible. And demonstrated teamwork, positive role modelling towards their fans.

The last image with the body language with hands on Gerard’s head shows enthusiasm for his recordings and music. The quote in the bottom left represents humorous relationship with the band and the journalist.

The last part of the article on the far right hand side Is a snippet of what’s to come from the New Jersey band in the following album. It gives the names of a couple of tracks inside the album and explains what type of song and meaning behind it and what it sounds like. The arrow points down towards the text, displaying this is where the information is. The colour of it matches the rest of the colour scheme, so the audience can tell its all part of the same article.

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