Textual analysis front covers

This magazine is aimed at young adults of both genders who have an interest in music. It is a music magazine of the genre indie/alternative. The dominant colour which is used is peach which connotes peacefulness and contrasts with the dark background and the music which is included inside. The lead singer of the band is placed in the centre of the frame, with the other members placed to the side and behind which suggests they are not the main focus or as well known. They are casually dressed and have scruffy hair which links in with their tag line ‘we can’t worry about what other people think’. As NME is such a well known magazine, the photo can be placed over some of the masthead but it is still clear what the magazine is. The photo is a mid-shot of the band and there is a slightly tilted to look up at them. This will give the impression that readers should aspire to be them. The front man is placed in the centre of the image. This suggests that he is the most important out of the band as the focus is clearly upon him. The other band members are placed at either side and behind him. The black colour of black connotes danger which links in with the line of 'Life after Humbug' which suggests that they may be in trouble.

The same font is used throughout which creates consistency, it is simple and contemporary which links in with the magazines target audience. The title of ‘Arctic Monkeys’ is in capital letters and a large font which therefore stands out and covers a large amount of the page. It is the first thing which the reader would see as it dominates the front cover. The small sell lines along the top and bottom give enough information to inform the reader of what is included. Interrogatives and imperatives are widely used. The white writing which is used for the sell lines and tag lines contrasts with the dark colours of the background however it is not as striking as the peach writing. A quote is used underneath the title of "We can't worry about what other people think". This gives the impression that they are young and care free.

The rule of three is used on the bottom sell lines. Not only does this catch the readers attention but as each also has a different place where the artist is, it may make them more intrigued to find out more. Circles are placed on the cover with extra information included.

Q magazine is aimed at a wide range of music fans. The genres range from indie music such as 'the killers' to pop such as 'Take That' and 'Katy Perry'. The colour scheme used is grey pink and black, which contrasts with the the red title of 'Q'. The pink writing which is used makes it more appealing to woman as stereotypically music magazines are aimed at males. The pale pink colour also goes with the title of "Brandon Flowers" which would connote soft feminine colours . The title 'The Killers' is spread nearly across all of the page in a large font. It is placed on a slight tilt. Brandon Flowers is placed in front of the masthead which gives the focus to him not the masthead. As Q is such a well known and recognisable magazine it does not matter that some of it is

The photograph of Brandon Flowers dominates the cover. He is not posing in a typical way. His knees are bent and arms are spread out which is quite a feminine pose. His facial expression suggests that he is very serious which may be a reflection of how he feels about his music and the interview included inside. The photo is shot on a deserted boat with a gloomy sky behind. Underneath there is the tag line of 'Brandon Flowers. Starman', this suggests that he is reaching for the sky and trying to leave the deserted surroundings behind. This is nontraditional of a front cover and would attract possible readers to it. The environment gives the impression that they don't care about what they look like which and that its all about the music.

The sell lines on the left side of the cover all have coloured background. This makes them stand out against the background and they are the big artists therefore will help sell the magazine. The font used for these is bold and chunky and all in capital letters. It is clear that the sell lines on the right of the side of the aren't so important as they are in a white font which blends in more with the background. Also a more old font is used which shows that they may be aimed at the older generation as 'Bruce Springsteen' and the 'Beastie Boys' are included. The writing which is used is simple and sophisticated which suggests that it is targeted at sophisticated people.

The target audience of this issue of 'Kerrang' is male young adults and teenagers who have an interest in music. The genre of the magazine is rock as the cover band are 'Greenday' and 'Paramore' and 'Placebo' are included. The main focus of this front cover is on the band, it is a mid-shot of the them with the front man placed in the centre. The other two members are placed on either side of him with their heads placed behind the masthead, whereas the front mans is placed in front, suggesting the difference in importance. They are placed on the top half of the magazine which means the audience is looking up to them not down, giving the impression that they have a high importance. Each are pulling different facial expressions which suggests that they are individual and are not afraid to be silly. The target audience of young males may therefore look up to them as role models. Each are wearing black clothes and eye make-up which links in with the genre of rock, as the look which they portray is stereotypical of that genre.

The title of 'Green day' is in a large green font. This could suggest that they are about having fun as the name of the band has been used as the colour. Even though the front mans head has been placed slightly in front of the mast head, it is still recognisable to the audience of the magazine what it is as it is so well known. It is in large capital letters which makes it stand out and appeal to the audience. The font chosen looks as though its been broken or smashed this links to the target audience that they are being different. The facial expressions of the band emphasise this.

Seen as having attitude.