Album Advert 1:The Killers 'Day and Age'
Found in Q Magazine, March 2009, which has a long feature on the band meaning readers would be more intrigued by this advert after reading. It is also found just after the album reviews, enticing music fans to buy the album. The advert immediately grabs the attention of the audience through the colours used; the purple, pink and white are warm, enticing colours with connotations of a sunset, suggesting the album is fresh, new and innovative. These colours also connote the possible mood of the album, suggesting it is light-hearted and relaxed, appealing to a laid-back audience. The colours also relate to the word 'Day' in the album title, making it more memorable. The idyllic image used also entices the audience- the yellow plants and trees and starry sky at the top of the advert further connote a sense of freshness and excitement. The image is also put together to be representative of mosaics, which connotes an artistic credibility in the music, appealing to the readers of Q magazine. It is also unrealistic and slightly cartoon-like, which gives it a light-hearted mood and is conventional to pop rock. The band name is in large, white lettering, in the Killers' signature font, meaning the advert is recognisable to the audience. The white, circular font against the blue background has connotations of stars in the sky or even spotlights, which makes the band seem exciting and gives them star status. The copy at the bottom of the advert reads 'The Brand New Album' in bold, capital letters; white against a black background, giving the album an epic status and making it seem unmissable to the audience. The language used, such as 'Brand New', appeals to a young target audience who would want to keep up with popular music. The subtitle 'Featuring the single Human' engages fans who may have heard this song.
Album Advert 2: 
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
Found in Q Magazine, March 2009, just after the Contents page, meaning audience's attention would immediately be drawn to it upon opening the magazine. The image instantly presents an enigma to the audience, as the frontman is positioned to the left hand centre of the frame, holding his hands up to the camera, connoting a sense of mystery which is emphasised by the black and white image. These colours, however, are atypical of the pop rock genre, because both Franz Ferdinand and Q Magazine try to connote a sense of musical credibility as well as be young, exciting and engaging to their audience. The image tells a story to the audience, as in the background there seems to be some kind of death scene. This makes the band and album seem interesting and entices the audience to find out more. Also, using the band members in the image makes the artists recognisable to fans. The bold white font against the black background reads the album title 'TONIGHT:', which instantly grabs the attention of the audience as it appeals to their interests and hobbies; making them believe there is some kind of event happening. The unstructured, orange band name connotes a sense of anarchy but also adds a pop of colour which gives the advert a more light-hearted feel. The copy at the bottom of the advert is in small, capital letters with lots of information, communicating that the audience are getting more for their money, reinforced through language such as 'deluxe' and 'limited edition'.
Album Advert 3:
New Found Glory- Hits
Found in Kerrang! magazine, the bold, red font of the band and album titles instantly grabs the attention of the audience by connoting a sense of danger and urgency. Red is also a conventional colour found in pop rock album covers. A compilation 'Hits' album must encapsulate the essence of the band and music, which it does through the different sized, distressed style font used, connoting a sense of anarchy and rebellion and making the pop rock genre easy for audiences to identify. Pop rock originated in America, so by using stars and stripes at the bottom of the advert they further connote their genre and musical background. The fact that Kerrang! is a UK magazine is made use of; a USP is presented in the copy 'Plus 2 tracks never before available in the UK', presenting an enigma to the UK audience by making them believe this album is exclusive and new and exciting to them. It also appeals to fans of New Found Glory who may already have all the songs on the album by making them believe they are getting something new and exclusive. The tagline reads 'The Best of New Found Glory, hand picked by the band that started it all'. The words 'hand picked' makes this seem exclusive and connotes a sense of a personal connection between artists and audience. The list of tracks included are in different sized fonts; the most well-known songs are in the largest size so audience would recognise songs they may have heard. The image of the boxer makes the album title 'Hits' more memorable to the audience.
Album Advert 4: 
Panic! At the Disco - A Fever You Can't Sweat out
Found in Kerrang!, May 2006, the dark background fits with the rock magazine this is found in and thus appeals to readers. However, a cartoon floral border including the conventional pop rock primary colours red, blue and green, and bold, bright yellow swirly lettering plus comical album cover image give this a more light-hearted, quirky feel and appeal to a young and fun-seeking target audience. The image of the album is slightly askew with cartoon hands holding it either side. Using cartoons is conventional in pop rock and the lopsided album gives a quirky, unique identity to band, whereas the hands connote the popularity of the album, appealing to a young, 'in-the-know' target audience. The dark background, cartoon floral border and swirly lettering also give the advert a vintage, kitsch feel, connoting a sense of uniqueness and the experimental nature of the band. The subtitle tells the audience the singles featured on this album, which are well-known and so engage possible fans.
Album Advert 5:Finch - Say Hello To Sunshine
Found on the back page of Kerrang! Magazine, June 04 2005, this advert immediately grabs the attention of its audience through its bright colours such as white and yellow and its sunburst background, which jumps out of the page and connotes that the album is fresh and innovative. The use of colours such as white, blue and yellow give the advert a light-hearted yet energetic mood which suggests the possible fresh, exciting sound of the music, appealing to its young and fun-seeking target audience. It also links to the album title 'Say Hello to Sunshine', which communicates directly with the audience by telling them what to do, persuading them to buy the album. An image of the album is placed at the top of the advert and its background, the sun coming out of the clouds, is the same as the background of the advert. By continuing to use this background, the album becomes more memorable to the audience and would be recognisable if they were to see it in a shop. It also emphasises the connotations of freshness and energy. The image of the album takes up a large proportion of the advert, meaning fans will remember it more, and follows conventions of pop rock album covers; the cursive-style font, cartoon like image and bold, bright colours like yellow, blue and red. The strange image of the album cover is intriguing to the audience: a house appears to have been uprooted. This could suggest the impact the album will have on the audience by connoting a feeling of elevation. The subtitle reads 'Say Hello To Sunshine The Album Out June 6th'. As this magazine is dated June 04, by placing this advertisement on the back page it reminds the audience to buy the magazine in two days' time, whereas it may be forgotten if inside or near the front of the magazine. There are also tour dates included in this advertisement, which are placed infront of the sun in the background, making them seem exciting to the audience, and appealing to the interests and hobbies of the teenage audience.
Album Advert 6:Feeder - The Singles
Found in Kerrang! Magazine, May 2006, next to the contents page so readers will notice it upon opening the magazine. Immediately the audience's attention is drawn to the bold, capitalised white font of the band name and album title which stands out against the black and white background. This makes the band and album seem epic and sure of themselves, connoting their musical credibility. The black and white image connotes a sense of mystery as well as a sense of age; it suggests the length of time the band have been going. The central image of the artist also connotes a feeling of being frozen in time, emphasising the fact that this is a compilation CD and contains every single the band have produced. This emphasises how prolific the band is within the pop rock genre, making them more appealing to the audience. The image of the artist is blurred and in mid jump, connoting a sense of energy and fun and so attracting the intended audience. The background, however, is very dark with distinct shadows in order to contrast with the energetic and exciting image of the artist. Also, the guitar stands out as it is bright, meaning the audience can identify the music genre as guitars are conventional to pop rock, and also connotes a sense of rebellion and anarchy. The information about the CD is centred, in capital font, and the amount of information and language used e.g. 'Deluxe', 'Limited Edition', 'Hit singles' makes it seem as though the audience are getting more for their money. Also, extracts from reviews are used along with high star ratings from credible music magazines such as Q and Kerrang, persuading the audience and readers of these magazine (particularly the latter as this is the magazine in which this advertisement is featured) to buy the CD.
Codes and conventions I have found from my pop rock Magazine Advertisement analysis:
- Band name and title is in bold, capitalised font in order to grab the attention of the audience and make the album title more memorable
- Background colours are often dark or undetailed so information on the album and titles stand out more
- An image of the album or similar artwork from the album is used
- Persuasive subtitles including the release date, the singles included, information on the album and extracts from reviews
- Website and record label details given in small print at the bottom of advert
- Images stand out through colour or detail, grab the audiences' attention
No comments:
Post a Comment