Analysis of CD packaging, Promotional poster and Music Video
Noah and The Whale- L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N
CD PACKAGING
-Front Cover:
The main image and title are slightly shifted to the right of the cover, however is still extremely visible, the title which is in the top right of the cover is in thick black capital letters, gripping the audience to recognise this band. Underneath the title, in smaller lower case font, are the titles of the songs which are featured on the CD, this appears unusual due to the song list usually being on the back cover, but this creates ease for the audience due to the fact that they can immediately identify which songs are on this particular CD.
In the bottom left hand corner, there is a quote ‘Last Night On Earth’ this is emphasised by it being on it’s own on the left side of the cover. This is a quote from one of their songs, however it is not the title of one of their songs, which is unusual because generally a band would quote a song title. This adds to the uniqueness and difference of this CD cover compared to typical predictable ones.
The image used displays all the members of the band, however none of the members are providing the audience with a direct mode of address, this could connote how the audience have a higher position and therefore the band do not intimidate the audience by looking directly at them. It is as though they appear humble to the audience, showing no signs of arrogance or pomposity due to the fact that the audience would be doing them a favour by buying their CD.
The band members are positioned in the centre of the image, showing that they are the main focus of the CD cover, although the main vocal singer is typically positioned in the centre of the band members, connoting importance. However, from first glance, the image appears merely edited with eye catching subtle yet bright colours, however the deeper you look into the image, there is an overlap of two images. It appears that the band members fade into an image of a city street at night, showing cars, and street lamps, at the end of the road, there is a bright light, this could connote that the music is slightly futuristic, bright and happy, which resembles the light shown at the end of the road in the image.
The camera shot used for the image is a medium shot, despite the image being edited the audience are still able to recognise the band members faces, despite the fact that some of the members are sitting at angles which hide themselves from the audience slightly they are in casual and comfortable positions this could connote how their music resembles their body language, relaxing. The colours used are very mellow however it is not dull; it appears very pleasing to the eye.
All the band members appear Caucasian, and are all male, this is quite usual for the Indie genre to be dominated by middle class, white males, they appear reasonably young, in their mid to late 20’s this could influence their audience, despite the fact that they interest teenagers in their music and also older people, they provide decent indie music for a variety of age groups.
This CD cover persuades the audience quite easily by having a basic yet unique layout that can interest an audience due to it bring different. This cover also presents the band members as quite casual everyday people, but them being in the same class as many of the target audience, this could have an interesting effect; by listening to their music they may relate to the way the band members feel, thus creating a relating to the audience directly.
Back Cover:This CD back cover is quite basic and straightforward; the songs are listed on the back, which is also presented on the front cover of the CD package. The title of the band and the tag line are presented in the same black bold capital letters as the front showing continuity. There are no bright colours used on this back cover, this cover has more of a basic yet classical look, despite it not being very bright it is still capable of attracting the audience.
CD Design:
The fonts and styles used for the CD design are the same as the front and back cover of the CD package, once again showing continuity. No images or excess text are printed on the actual CD. The CD clearly states the bands name and their tagline.
POSTER ADVERTThe members of the band are positioned at the bottom of the image, which is displayed as the background of the poster; this could connote how they are not the main focus of the music, but that there actual musical talent speaks for them.
The image if of the members in what appears to be a field on a lovely sunny day, this could connote the happiness and calmness, which is represented through their music. The name of the band is in a smaller font compared the name of their album. This could show how their target audience may already recognise their album name rather than their band name straight away. This means that this could appeal to dedicated audience members.
The image only puts one of the band members in focus, this could connote how he is the main image of the band and how he may be seen as the leader seems as though he is standing slightly infront of the other members. The band member which is in focus is holding a camera, but it is unclear what he is taking a photo of, this creates an enigma. This creates a feeling of mystery and wonder which is used to attract the audience.
The colours used are quite bright yet subtle, this could connote how the music is felt by the audience, that the music is cheerful but not exotic.
The text is in a dark colour making it stand out and is eye cathcing to the audience. The name of the album is in italics, making it more diverse compared to the name of the band, this makes the poster appear more interesting and not as plain as it would if the same font type was used throughout, showing that continuity is not as important in posters.
A mood is created through the scene of which the photo is taken in, it connotes and expresses a feeling of freedom as they are in a field on a sunny day, any teenagers dream. It immediately connotes relaxation and calmness.
The stars/ ratings given on this poster all show 4 stars, this can help promote the band and their album because this shows positivity towards their music, which would influence individuals which are already intersted in this genre of music to give it a listen seems as it has received such good reviews.
MUSIC VIDEO
The band members always appear to be either in the centre of the shot or the front compared to other characters which are featured in the video, this connotes importance of the band and easily shows the audience who the band members are and who are meer actors in the video. A lot of slow zoom ins and outs are used to portray the setting and help the audience understand the possible purpose of being in that setting. There are many straight cuts, and many put of focus shots, this reinforces the 'indie' stereotype of being unpolished, this therefore communicates the genre to the audience. The straight cuts are rather slow, not extremely frequent because the song is not very fast, if it were it may confuse the audience. The video also shows a vintage record player, this is seen as stereotypical for 'indie' genres because they are easily related to vintage clothing etc. None of the band members give a direct mode of address, they appear passive and shows that they may not need the audiences exact attention for them to be interested in the music.
The setting appears to be in a pub, which is quite empty, this could relate to the target audience and how they may be seen to be in their late teens, such as 18 and 19, this can influence the audience because they could relate to the setting and some situations which are shown in the video.
The video links to the lyrics of the song very well, in the song they describe different people, and these people are shown in the video, they are in the centre of the screen behind a window, and are unaware while the band members sing about them, it is portrayed almost like a story and is personal to the characters which are featured.
This video shows the band to be quite different and experimental, they use a range of different shots which makes it more interesting for the audience and intriguing also.
The video clearly promotes the song as it relates quite closely to the lyrics used.
No comments:
Post a Comment