Magazine Adverts Analysis

The Drums

The colours of the image are dark and fairly dull; this allows the white text to be more prominent on the page. The image is of an old wooden stage, with a curtain towards the back of the picture. This gives the idea of the band performing live to the audience, which is suitable for the genre as indie/rock music tends to value live performances more than other genres. The band members are not featured in the cover, this creates a sense of mystery and may lead the audience to be curious, thus more likely to go out and buy the album. It also implies them to be exclusive and higher their status as a band, as they are not all about image but instead serious about their music. Instead, the band name ‘The Drums’ is spelled out in wooden letters. The light is entering the image from the far left and is focused around the band name, thus emphasising their importance to the audience. This causes the letters to cast a shadow over the stage, as well as creating an interesting effect it again implies the band to be big and of high status. The letters are almost replacing the band members on stage, as the light appears to be like a spotlight, as we would see on stage at a gig. This quirky unique image will appeal to those who enjoy the indie/rock genre as they are typically individualists or mainstreamers believing themselves to be individualists, thus would reject mainstream images that may be seen in the pop genre. The date of the album release is in bold white text, allowing it to stand out from the dark background image, this is vital as it raises awareness of the release. It also enforces its importance, and even suggests to the audience it is a special, important event thus they should remember the date, even count down the days until its release. The words ‘the album’ implying it to be exclusive and of particular importance in the music industry, thus persuading the audience to buy the record. The advert also keeps up to date with current technology as it includes the website address and a site where the album is available to download online. This will particularly appeal to young people as the internet is very much the ‘zeitgeist’ of our decade and thus the band appears current. It will also appeal to young people as downloading music is much simpler than going out and buying a CD. The record company’s logo is also featured in small white text in the corner, promoting the company and implying to the audience they should perhaps download more music from that company as if they enjoy this record, they will enjoy those too.

The Chemical Brothers

The advert features an abstract image which dominantes the majority of the page, of a woman diving into water. Her face is in shadow thus the audience do not know her identity, creating a sense of mystery and grabbing the audiences attention as they are curious. This will appeal to the audience as it is unique thus will stand out from other, more mainstream images , especially when considering its alternative genre. The background is plain black, which is often assosciated with the alternative genre, again indicating to the target audience that this is an album they may enjoy. It also is symbollic of being sophisticated which is enforced by the overall mature atmosphere os the advert, and is suitable as the audience will typically be slightly older than say of the pop genre.The band name is written in their usual text, almost like a logo. This in turn creates a feeling of familiarity as it occurs frequently throughout their products, thus audiences will be able to recognise it. The text describes the album as ‘astonishing’, again helping persuade the audience to buy it by implying it to be of a high standard.The date isalone on the last line,this may leave it in the memory ofthe audience and enforces the importance of the albums release, almost portraying it as a vital event.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

The advert uses a simplistic colour scheme of red black and white, colours often seen related to the rock genre. Red has connotations passion and being rebellious and exciting, these are values that are held by the rock genre. Therefore, by using these colours the target audience is immediately attracted to the advert, this is also due to it conforming to the basic codes and conventions that are seen in the rock genre. A black and white image is used showing the members of the band, this helps create their identity as artists which will in term appeal to the audience, particularly serious fans of the band. The title ‘mojo’ is written in large capital letters, implying to the audience that it is of high status in the music industry thus helping persuade them to buy it. The letters are bold and spaced out, giving it a more masculine appearance thus appealing more to males. It is in white text, allowing it to stand out from the background and thus is one of the most prominent aspects of the page. The red shadow or shading lends particular weight to the text making it heavier and thus more important and eye catching for the audience. The text ‘their first studio album in 8 years’ enforces the importance of the record to the audience and helps create excitement in them. The advert appears current and up to date as it gives a website and states that you can download the album, this will appeal particularly to younger people as the internet is very much the ‘zeitgeist’ of our decade and for its ease of use. The date is bold and clear, again emphasising the importance of the album’s release.