Analysing Album Magazine Adverts #1

Here is the first magazine advert I have chosen to analyse, 'Florence and the Machine- Lungs'. 

First of all, the image of Florence Welch intrigues me as an audience as the mise-en scene seems unusual at a glance. I really like the use of the lung necklace as although seeming whimsical, relates directly to the title of the album. The lung necklace is also in direct alignment with the title 'LUNGS'  which is a clever editing technique from the art directors. The mise en scene of the image and the way Florence is dressed immediately signifies her 'look' and as this is the first album from 'Florence & the Machine' allows fans to identify her artistic style and star image.

I think that the fact that the image is centred and takes up the majority of the layout on the page adds to the adverts aesthetic appeal and would make the image stand out on the page of a magazine. The ratio of text to image is good I think as the text is mostly in a smaller font which doesnt distract from the image.

I like the classic typography on the page and how the date is just typed '6.7.09', almost implying that the date needs no description to its significance and increases the importance of the band, creating a status that hasn't been created as to yet.

However, I dislike how dark the colour scheme is surrounding the image and I think that I want my advert to be slightly less deep and more art based.

Analysing Album Artwork #3

The last album cover I have chosen to analyse is 'The Rolling Stones' cover for their ninth studio album 'sticky fingers' released in 1971. The album was also the first album release from the newely formed label ' Rolling Stones Records'.

The artwork for the album was thought up by Andy Warhol, photographed by Billy Name and designed by Craig Braunand features a cover image of a male's crotch wearing jeans on the front and the opposite on the back whilst inside was a photograph of the male wearing white cotton briefs. The front zipper featured a real working zip with a mock-up beltbuckle that pulled apart to reveal the insleeve of the vinyl record. The images were roumered to be of Mick Jagger although Warhol said otherwise and inside, 'Andy Warhol' was printed on the waistband of the briefs in the same typo as on the cover of 'The Velvet Underground's' first album.

I think that the image, although risky to print on an album cover (especially the size of an LP vinyl), would prove rewarding for the amount of publicity the band would get from it. I don't think that I will be re-creating this album although the idea of taking a mid-shot photo of a bodypart, and not the face of the artist, could be interesting so I think this could be somthing to keep in mind when designing my digipack and suring shooting. I think that this could also link to some of the extreme close-up shots of Rickie's face I have included in my animatic for the music video.I also like how a photograph is used on the cover and simply edited, the vintage 'look' of this image is something I could look into experimenting with on Photoshop.

I think that the grayscale photograph with the red and white fonts on the label and the band name and album title proves effective, applying to the three colour palette and keeping it simple.

I think that the 3D element of the zipper adds a huge interest to the cover as it makes it interactive to an audience, which in a strange way, might make a person want to buy the album. I think it also adds value to a collectors point of view.

Analysing Album Artwork #2

The second album cover I have chosen to analyse is the third studio album by music producer Mark Ronson entitled 'Record Collection' and released under the name 'Mark Ronson & The Buisiness Intl. in 2010.
The album artwork was created by Art Directors Gerard Saint and Mat Maitland which make reference to several famous album covers including 'Rio' by Duran Duran on the cover left to the centre. Click Here to see what I mean.
I think that the compilation of records, using different artwork, and creating a single image of the artist is a really nice idea. I like how amplification has been used to draw reference from existing records, perhaps this is something I could take into consideration.
I think the layout is really well done, as the album name and the artist is clear, although it almost looks like the floor of a teenagers bedroom and as if the album cases have 'fallen' into place. The white 'studio' background is something that I think adds to the cover and balances out the use of bright colours, making it not appear too busy.
I think that the colours used work well together, using hints of the same tones in each album cover in the compilation. This is something I believe I should definetly think about doing, as it almost has an influence from Warhol's artwork during the pop art movement in New York. Although the cover overall looks more '80's, I think that the idea is there and could work extremely well with the concept I have created.
I like how the typography isnt too obvious although is clear due to the placing of it, and I like how it is white on a darker background which makes it 'pop' to an audiences perspective on the shelves of a music store.
Because this is a modern album cover, I think it backs up my idea that the 'vintage look' is appealing to a younger audience and I should continue in the same direction.