Inspiring Album Covers and Magazines

The photograph of the artist allows the purchaser to put a name to the voice they will be hearing. The colour scheme is matching and relevent to the genre of the music itself. Not only this, but the colour scene of the text matches, with the album name in a slightly brighter colour to grab attention. Use of the word "till", is connected to the specific audience as they are more likely to understand than say older adults with a different music taste. The album cover is following the law through the use of the parental advisory sticker in the bottom left hand corner.

The colour scheme within this album reflects the name of the album itself by appearing old fashioned ("gentleman"), and also the clothes he is wearing within the photograph (suit and trilby hat). The font is unique to this specfiic album, with the artists name being in a different font to thart of the album name. Once again the use of a photograph allows the listener to place a name to a voice.




Music magazines allow something extra to be given to the audience without it actually being the music itself. It means people can further their interest in music in a different manner. Music magazines generally all follow the same checklist to further their success, using photographs of the artists shown inside the magazine and also containing free things such as posters. Typical music magazines are shown below.

What is a music promo video?

Purpose;
- advertises the band as a new artist
- connects the public/audience and the performer
- advertises the idea and attraction of a forthcoming album
- sets the standard for the rest of the album
- advertises the record label as either successful or not

How can a promo create a "brand image" for the performer?
The first video/song created by an artist is the most important due to first impressions. It is the song that the public will first hear from the newly signed band and therefore has to grab their attention from the start in order to gain popularity and thus the maximum profit available.

Typical music video features;
Generally I would expect music videos to contain a range of different shot types and pans in order to create interest, with the editing pace dependent on either the genre of the music, or the speed of the song itself, with quick and straight cuts falling into the break or end of a beat in the song. Instrument shots are used in an attempt to convince the public that the artist themselves are skilled. Although within music videos, having something different than just the band singing is common and favoured; creating interest and often hoping to create the "wow factor". The only sound commonly expected to be heard within a video is the song itself, leaving non-diegetic sounds few and far between. Narratives are dependent on the genre of the song, although when present help the audience to understand the story behind the song. Watching a music video should be like watching a sucessful DVD; you should never get bored of it and you should notice something different every time.

Where can music promo's be exhibited?
- television
- itunes
- internet (youtube)
- DVD's
- social networking