The document analyzes the cover and contents page of the rock magazine Kerrang. Some key points: - The color scheme of black, red, and white is meant to appeal to Kerrang's target rock audience. - Photos feature rock artists in poses associated with rebellion to signify the rock genre. - Fonts are distressed and aggressive to match the rock aesthetic. - Layouts are coordinated but messy, appealing to fans of alternative rock music. - Imagery, language, and topics are aimed at older teenage and adult readers rather than children.

1. Rock Magazine
Analysis
Kerrang, NME & Rock Sound

2. Colour scheme: the dominant colour scheme is made up of black. red and white with
yellow accents. These have been chosen so that they appeal to the target audience of
the magazine, with black being a dark colour to signify „rock‟ compared to a pop
magazine that would usually be made up of bright colours to draw that specific
audience.
Photography: A mid shot of Gerard Way has been used to clearly show which pose
he is in, with has hands shaped into guns which is a convention that would be
associated and related to the genre of the magazine, once again signifying to the
audience that Kerrang is a rock magazine. The image is also an eye-level shot which
makes the viewer and the subject seem equal to one another. This makes the audience
feel as though they can identify with the person in the photo, which would often be
someone they idolize, on a personal level . Also, because the image is so large and
spread across the front cover the audience automatically identify that this band will be
the main article, and because they are well known in the rock genre they will draw the
audience in to the magazine. High key lighting gives contrast between the darker colour
scheme and the photograph so that the photo stands out, but it is also very coordinated
with the colour scheme. In terms of mise en scene the subject of the photo is wearing a
lot of leather and studs which is often associated with bikers and connotes rebellion
which is a convention of the rock genre.
Writing Style: The style of the writing on the front the cover is very brief and
aggressive which suggests the magazine doesn‟t have a young target audience, with a
tagline saying “London riot!” which wouldn‟t be something that children would
understand and it also wouldn‟t be appropriate for them.
Overall Look: The magazine cover as whole has a alternative feel with the coordinated
colour scheme giving it a very organised effect, however the messy, disordered
composition of the headline, taglines etc make the entire cover look thrown together
which often appeals to the target audience of the magazine. The colours are used to
Fonts: The masthead (“Kerrang”) is written in a make sure its identifiable next to pop magazines.
cracked/scratched font which appeals to the audience as it has
imperfections and isn‟t too neat, and makes it look more real and Text/Picture Ratio: The main picture fills most of the front cover which draws the
distressed which is something associated with the rock genre (that viewers attention to the magazine, however the text is quite large (especially for the
the music isn‟t as auto tuned as pop, etc). The fonts are also headline) and so in some ways the text seems to be dominant on the page to inform
more violent, aggressive and intense than ordinary fonts and the audience of what‟s inside the magazine.
most of the writing on the page is bolded to highlight how in-your-
face the cover is. The font creates a house style that is easily Publisher: Kerrang is published by Bauer Consumer Media , which targets a very wide
recognised by the target audience, so even though Kerrang is range of audiences and Kerrang is their only magazine that is dedicated to rock music,
covered by the image it is still distinguishable. so they have filled their niche in the market by creating this magazine.

3. Colour Scheme: The background of the contents page is filled with grey making it
look grimy and dirty, and the page has black and yellow accents that stand out and let
the audience know which parts to look at first and they draw the eye. The colours
also link to the front cover and have a house style throughout the magazine. Red is
used again to connote blood and anger, something that is thought to be related to
rock music and the people who listen to it. They are often considered angry,
passionate people who listen to this genre as a way of an escape from real life.
Photography: The images labelled 16 and 60 are photographs that have been used
from live events/gigs that are popular with the rock genre to make the audience feel
connected to the singer or band by giving the impression that they have attended and
are going to read about a unique experience. The other images used on the page are
posed, studio shots which highlight the bands‟ status, and most images feature dull
colours. Images 14 and 41 have used a low angle shot to make the subjects appear
powerful and dominant to the audience. This is something that is often related to the
genre by the audience who like rock music because they find rock bands influential
and important.
The image of You Me At Six (which is coincidentally the largest image on the page –
indicating they will have the biggest spread in the magazine) features an intertextual
reference to Shaun of the Dead, imitating the zombie apocalypse and also linking into
the genre and target audience of the magazine once again because zombies, death
and blood are all associated with rock/alternative and „dark‟ music.
Writing Style: The writing style seems very colloquial and unsuitable for a target
audience of young people/children, with articles, topics and quotes that are more
suited to an adult or teenage audience e.g. “Please God, let me find a slutty chick
tonight”. Quotes like this also suggest that the main audience of Kerrang would be
male because stereotypically men would be more likely to say things such as this and
also to use colloquial language and language that is usually considered unsuitable.
Overall Look: As a whole the contents page of Kerrang works well together with the
colour scheme to make it look dirty/rough and the fact that the actual contents on the
page is headed with clear headings to inform readers where each topic would be in
the magazine (“News”, “Album Reviews”, etc.) makes it easy to read and navigate,
with a large font and not too much text that it would bore the audience. The images
are also appealing with the variety of studio and live shots used to highlight how
important live events are to the rock genre.
Fonts: The fonts on the contents page are very easy to read so
that the audience can navigate straight to the page they want Text/Picture Ratio: The page has an overwhelming amount of images compared to
without having to read a more complicated font (like on the front text. This appeals to the audience because they wouldn‟t want to read huge amounts
cover). The parts that the magazine find important, such as band of text on a page – they simply want to be directed to the page with the band they
names and headings, are highlighted in bold to show their want to read about.
significance.

4. Colour Scheme: The overwhelming colour
scheme of the double page spread is black/sepia
tone. This immediately gives it a dark, mysterious
feel, and black connotes authority and power
(also linking to the title “We‟re being the best
MCR we can be!”) but can also represent
malevolence, something that links back to the
genre of the magazine and what would be
appealing to the target audience. White and red
accents link back to the house style of the cover,
and they are used to make the text stand out
against the background. Red connotes anger,
intensity, passion and danger, relating to the
target audience but also contradicting the fact
that the bands next album is about “strength” and
“self-preservation” . This proves that the
stereotypes and labels of the rock music genre
are not always correct.
Photography: Each of the photos that are placed
on the page are un-posed and live action shots of
either the band performing or working on their
new studio album. This is a style that is
associated with rock bands to make them appear
flawed so that people can aspire to be them
because people don‟t want to have an idol who is
Writing Style: The writing style is interview-like, Text/Picture Ratio: Once again there are more perfect, they want someone who they can
with the writer of the article asking the lead singer images that dominate the page than text, but identify with. The images are placed haphazardly
questions and Gerard answering in full sentences somehow they don‟t seem overpowering and on the page and overlap each other as though
that seem quite formal. However, the language instead make the page appear balanced. The they have been placed carelessly. Also, the
used is still colloquial in places such as “Oh, it‟s use of a lot of images appeals to the audience photography itself is substandard, with lens flare
filthy!”. Also, the text is quite informative with the because many people would want look at the obstructing one members face and the
main aim seeming to be bringing the audience band rather than read about them, and also for background being blurred out. This once again
and fans up to date on the bands progress. the purposes that people sometimes cut images appeals to the target audience. Two images are
out of magazines if they like them. mid-shots, to show the emotion on the band
Overall Look: Overall the page looks very members face and the largest image is high key
mysterious, but the white and red heading makes Fonts: The title links the front cover of the lighting because of harsh stage lighting. All
the article stand out and look visually pleasing to magazine to the article because of the similar images are in sepia tone giving a mysterious feel
the audience. The images take precedence over font style, with the grimy, cracked effect. This and they are very high contrast images to make
the text to start with but the text would also be makes the audience feel more connected and the lighter colours stand out against the dark
appealing to the audience because there isn‟t too also makes it seem more personal to have the background.
much that it would be overwhelming. style carried throughout the magazine.

5. Colour Scheme: The main colours featured are red, black and white with yellow accents
(once again). These are a convention of the rock/alternative genre and are used to appeal
to the target audience of the magazine because they aren‟t specifically bright colours
which would be unsuitable for the audience. The colours used on the front create a house
style for the magazine so that the audience know that these colours will be used
throughout. Black is used to convey mystery and death. This is fitting as the tagline used
says “I can‟t keep on living like this, it‟s doing my head in”. Death is often stereotypically
associated with the rock genre as people feel audiences who enjoy rock music are those
who need to look up to someone or because they have no one else.
Photography: The main image is a posed photograph that links in with the colour
scheme of the magazine. It is a eye-level, medium close up shot which makes the
audience identify with the subject of the photo on a personal level that they wouldn‟t be
able to do if the angle was different. Lily Allen is doing quite a seductive pose which
doesn‟t look particularly natural and therefore contributes to the genre of the magazine as
the target audience look for a more alternative look when they shop. High key lighting on
the image makes the subject stand out against the background and makes her hair
coordinate with the colour scheme, and the lighting connotes happiness and positivity
which contrasts with the colour scheme that has a dark theme (once again linking to the
genre and target audience of the magazine). Because she is the main focus on the front
cover, with her filling the majority of the page, the audience know that she will be the main
article inside the magazine.
Writing Style: The writing style is colloquial and mostly informal and unserious, apart
from “I can‟t keep on living like this, it‟s doing my head in” which has more serious
connotations. “Lily Allen Takes on the World” however is playful and amusing to the
audience because the statement is a hyperbole. This means that that the text is an over
exaggeration to draw the audience in. The word “Plus” at the bottom draws the audiences‟
attention to the other bands featured in the magazine and makes them feel as though they
are getting a lot for their money. The text is very to the point and aggressive and there are
no long sentences on the cover and instead short, snappy words that make the viewer
want to buy the magazine to find out more.
Overall Look: The cover overall looks very alternative to the audience. Even with a
Fonts: The fonts used on the cover are mostly in block capitals, female solo artist as the main article, the audience would still be able to identify that this
giving the effect that the words are shouted at the viewer and make was a rock/alternative magazine (because empowering women are often shown on the
them stand out. The main title has the appearance of newspaper covers of pop magazines for a teenage audience to identify with). The house style clearly
clippings which create an individual feel and make the audience links into the genre with darker colours and a definite colour scheme, and the title of the
understand two of the main conventions of the rock genre; rebellion magazine doesn‟t need to be entirely visible for the audience to recognise because they
and aggression, through using this style of text to break the are appealing to a niche market who would be able to identify the magazine nonetheless.
boundaries of perfection that other magazine genres strive to
achieve. Text/Picture Ratio: The main image takes up most of the cover meaning that this is the
Publisher: IPC Media publish NME. They also publish magazines article that the magazine wants the audience to pay the most attention to. Text is used
such as TV and Satellite Week and Marie Claire. They publish no sparingly except when to draw the audience in (“New Monkeys Tunes”). This is appealing
other rock genre magazine and so are filling their niche in the market. the TA because text is unnecessary to an audience who would already read NME.

6. Colour Scheme: The colour scheme continues from the front cover with
prominent colours such as black, red and yellow, this time with a grey
background much like Kerrang‟s contents page. This creates a duller effect
than a plain white background would and is more appealing to the target
audience than garish colours. Having the white and red text on top of a black
block of colour creates an effect that jumps off the page and immediately
draws the viewers eye to “NME this week”. Red is used to highlight
important parts on the page, such as the list of band names included in the
issue and the page numbers of the articles. The colour itself also connotes
passion which could be linked to the list of names as the audience would
usually only buy the magazine if it included bands they liked or where
passionate about. Black lines for the headings give a mysterious edge to the
magazine and make the reader want to continue on to read the article.
Photography: At first it appears as though there is only one prominent
image on the page, that of a live event in which the article below talks about,
featuring the subjects displayed in the image who attended a gig called
Africa Exprez. However on closer inspection the image is split into two by
the white line running through the middle, and is actually two separate
images taken from opposite ends of the stage. This is effective as it makes
the image more visually appealing to the viewer. The images are long shots
showing all of the subject to make the audience feel connected as if they
were actually there, as this is how they would see the scene in real life.
Harsh concert lighting makes the images high key and they are quite grainy,
making them interesting to the audience and linking to the genre. The
images are also fairly low contrast as the subjects‟ clothing are often barely
distinguishable from the background. This makes the images seem more
real and engaging.
Writing Style: Apart from the short article in the middle of the page, the rest
of the text on the contents page is short and perfunctory, only highlighting
certain aspects of what will be contained within so that the audience will
want to look for themselves. The language is once again fairly colloquial to
Text/Picture Ratio: On this particular contents page the dominant appeal to the audience but still maintains a correct feel and doesn‟t seem
feature is text. There is only one pronounced image in the contents and out of place. Adverts such as “subscribe today for just £5.57” are used to
this is what draws the readers eye first because it is the only source of draw the audience in with excitement at getting the magazine at a reduced
visual graphics on the page. However, even though there is a lot of text price and creates anticipation.
it isn‟t overwhelming because most are short statements or even just
words that are arranged so that they say a lot by saying so little. Overall Look: Overall this contents page is very similar to that of Kerrang in
Fonts: The fonts on this page are readable and ordinary, helping the some aspects such as colour scheme, and that the magazine is very clearly
flow of the page which has a lot of text. However, important parts have targeted at people who enjoy rock/alternative music and would usually be
been bolded to draw the viewers eye such as the title and the “band aimed at adult males due to the dull colours and style of images.
index”

7. Colour Scheme: The colour scheme of this
double page is very unlike the rest of the
magazine‟s house style. The main colours used
here are white, blue and black. These are still
dark colours, however the blue is very prominent
and is a cool, cold colour that connotes
calmness and power and also makes the
subjects of the image appear strong. However,
when blue is used a lot it can make the viewer
feel sad and melancholy. The black block of
colour links into the contents page and makes
the text stand out, and also alerts the audience
that the box contains information that isn‟t linked
to the main article. The white gives the page a
fresh look, which relates to the article and
because the band is new, indicated by the
tagline “The best new music”. There is only one
part of the entire double page spread that is red,
and that is where NME.com is displayed, thus
promoting themselves through a different
coloured box that stands out amongst the rest.
Writing Style: The article is quite informal and
full of quotes and answers that wouldn‟t be
Photography: The main image takes up an entire page of the Text/Picture Ratio: There suitable for a target audience of young children.
double page spread and is thought out clearly to link into the band‟s appears to be many more Therefore the target audience is more likely to
name. The three people featured in the image are laid comfortably images on the page than text, be teenagers and young adults. The quote “Of
on a bed in what looks like a teenage boy‟s bedroom. This mise-en- especially with the image that course we‟re a sexual band. We‟re The
scene gives the audience a clear relation between the name and the takes up one page. This is used Teenagers and that‟s all they think about” is
people, and also helps the audience make an assumption about the so the audience can identify the another indication of the target audience, and
band and what their music would contain, because there are a lot of new band, and minimal amount also the genre because passion and rebellion
posters of women on the walls. The clothing the band members are of text often appeals to the are conventions of this genre.
wearing are very dark to fit into the colour scheme and nothing in the target audience.
image is particularly bright. This shows that the music would most Font: The fonts used are clear Overall Look: The double page spread itself
likely appeal to males rather than females because of the content of and appear to be quite typical looks very modern and contemporary and
the music. The image is a long shot, showing the subjects as well as “typed” fonts, linking to slightly breaks the boundaries of colours and
the background (bedroom wall). This gives the audience a clear look teenagers because they are styles that are usually featured in
at the band for future reference so they would recognise them in a often stereotyped and rock/alternative magazines. It has a very fresh
later edition of the magazine. There is also a smaller inset image of associated with being a feel and appeals to teenagers , especially
a band member at a live event/gig, which is a convention of the rock generation obsessed with through the band‟s name, which is placed in the
genre as concerts are a large part of the culture, and therefore this technology and computer middle of the double page to make the reader‟s
would appeal to the target audience of the magazine. gadgets. eye drawn to it.

8. Colour Scheme: The main colours featured are black and white, with yellow, red and blue
accents to highlight certain parts of the front cover. These specific colours are conventions of
the rock genre and fit well to entice the target audience of the magazine (which would be
teens/adults and mostly male). These colours are the only colours used on the cover which
suggests to the audience that this is the house style and they will be used throughout. This
helps the viewer identify better with the inside of the magazine because the colour scheme will
be the same and so creates a sense of consistency throughout. White is used to stand out
against the dark background so that it jumps out at the audience and entices them in to the
magazine. Yellow is often used to emphasize the key aspects of the cover. By putting words
such as “exclusive”, “free” and “rocked!” in this colour suggest that this is what draws the
audience in the most plus it is also used as a marketing technique by highlighting offers.
Photography: The image of Gerard Way (rock band My Chemical Romance‟s lead singer) on
the cover immediately draws the attention of the target audience because the band is very well
known within the rock genre. This is a selling point for the magazine. The image itself is a
serious, eye-level shot which gives a sense of intimacy and makes the viewer believe they are
equal with the subject, giving the magazine a more personal feel. Gerard Way‟s red hair colour
appears quite high contrast against the dark background and it stands out and grabs the
viewers attention, suggesting this was intentional to show the rebellious side of the rock genre
and demonstrate that individuals have their own distinctive style that breaks the boundaries of
what society says is „correct‟. The idea that Gerard Way‟s hair is falling over into his face also
links to this thought because he isn‟t conveying the look of „perfection‟ that a lot of pop
magazine cover artists do, as it isn‟t necessary to draw the attention of the target audience.
The gold stain on the subject‟s shirt gives the grubby, grimy look to the magazine cover,
linking to what is stereotypically related to the target audience of the magazine and the genre.
Writing Style: The language style on the cover is used to entice the audience into the buying
the magazine by placing short, snappy, attention-grabbing words such as “exclusive”, which
makes the viewer want to the buy the magazine to see content that they wouldn‟t find
anywhere else, and “rocked!” which automatically links to the genre and reinforces the
audience‟s views on the magazine. The style of the text is very straight to the point and has a
list of band names on the front which is used once again to attract the buyer.
Fonts: The fonts seem very ordinary, so that they are easily Overall Look: Overall the effect the cover has on the audience is instantaneous. The word
readable to the audience, except for that they are bolded and “MCR” is in bold which immediately draws the viewers eye rather than the masthead, therefore
chunky, signifying the loud, abrasive nature of those who suggesting that the brand is well known within the genre and the cover star and main article are
stereotypically enjoy the rock genre. more the focus. The image is striking and appeals to the target audience and the short words
on the page suggest aggression which also links to the genre.
Publisher: Rock Sound is published by Sonic Publishing, a
publisher that specialises in music and movies. However most Text/Picture Ratio: There is very little text on the front cover in comparison to how much of the
of the things they publish, such as Rocklouder and Clickmusic, image is shown. This is a convention of rock magazines because it draws in the specific target
are online sites. Rock Sound is the only monthly music audience as they are more drawn to images and the names of their favourite bands. What text
magazine they publish which fills the niche in their market. there is on the page is useful and put there for a reason; to grab the readers attention.

9. Colour Scheme: There are three main colours on the contents page: red, white and
black, which link into the house style from the front cover of the magazine. These
colours are typical of the rock genre and are a convention by the red connoting blood
and anger and the black connoting death and mystery. However, the colour white is
juxtaposed against these two other colours as traditionally white signifies purity and
innocence. This gives a sense of irony and suggests that these colours were chosen
to contrast against each other just like people who listen to the rock genre would
contrast against others who listen to pop. Also, the red and white contrast against
one other so that the two opposite sides of the page stand out, with the red colour
used on one side to highlight the images, because lots of images opposed to text are
a convention of rock magazines.
Photography: There are six images on the contents page of Rock Sound. The first
image is the largest suggesting to the audience that the main article will be about
Green Day. This is a draw to the audience because the band is well known and
popular within the genre. This image is a posed, muddy-looking photograph which is
fairly high contrast to make the subjects stand out against the background. It is also
an eye-level shot which lets the viewer engage with the picture and gives them a
sense of intimacy and closeness to the band. All the images featured on the page
are of more than one person, linking to the idea that bands are the most popular
within the rock genre and that it‟s rare that a single artist will be featured in
magazines such as this. Un-posed, live-action shots such as “58” are also a
convention of the rock genre because they are more suited to the target audience of
the magazine as viewers are often drawn to images from live events.
Writing Style: There isn‟t a lot of writing on the page but in terms of the contents it‟s
set out in a systematic way, with subheadings to direct the viewer immediately to
what they want to look at. Also, small snippets of information inform the reader of
what‟s to come, with the band on page 122 having a tagline of gig guide: Bleeding
Through. This is used as a technique to draw them in to the article so the page
doesn‟t look boring but so it still continues to be snappy and direct .
Overall Look: Overall the contents page of Rock Sound is similar in ways to that of
Kerrang and NME in terms of colour scheme because all magazines have been
Fonts: The fonts on the page are quite grungy looking,
assigned a house style that fits with the genre and target audience. The stars on the
scratched, decayed and smashed up. These things are a
bottom link in with the magazine itself because many famous rock bands originated
connotation and a convention of the rock genre and what
from America (and America is often associated with stars) but also because the
would suit the target audience. “Rock Sound” is displayed at
headline band Green Day has a well-known single called American Idiot which most
the top in what looks like faded and dirty graffiti writing,
people who are into the rock genre would recognise. This is another way of inviting
something that is associated with teenagers/young adults
the audience in and making them feel closer to the band.
which is the target audience of the magazine.

10. Colour Scheme: The colour scheme of the double
page spread is mostly black with white writing and a
yellow logo placed next to the band‟s name. The black
background gives the page a mysterious, eerie, ominous
feel with the colour having connotations of death. The
white juxtaposes the overwhelming colour of black
because of the seemingly mixed message the page is
sending. Looking at the quote at the bottom of the page,
"I'm back to a place where I can enjoy this again” this
suggests that the white is used to connote hope and
moving on, because the band member has obviously
had a trouble enjoying being in the same place in the
past. The yellow logo catches the eye as it‟s the only
bright colour on the page and therefore draws the
viewers eye. Yellow has connotations of happiness and
hope, which once again link to that people who enjoy
the rock genre often listen to bands‟ music to get
themselves out of a bad place or situation.
Photography: The main image takes up an entire
double page spread, being used across both pages. This
is so that the entire band can be highlighted and shown
to the audience for further recognition. The six people
featured in the image are all posed differently, all with
sombre looks on their faces that let the audience make
an assumption about the band and what their music
would contain (serious topics, hopeful lyrics etc). There
Writing Style: The writing style on both pages is are only three members actually looking into the camera
Overall Look: The overall
(eye-level) which suggests these are the ones the
colloquial, with profanities being used in the interview by effect of the double page is that
audience will identify with more. The other three looking
the band members in the first sentence and throughout. the audience automatically
away gives symmetry but also keeps the element of
This gives the effect that the band is more real and can recognise that the interview will mystery about the band. The clothing the band members
be themselves without having to be told what to say be about the band‟s struggle are wearing are all black to fit into the colour scheme.
unlike many pop artists. The interview is also fairly because of the dark colour The image itself is low contrast and muddy, once again
personal, discussing Steve Hewitt‟s former band and how scheme that is highlighted with connoting sadness and depression, something
the lead singer became “more and more controlling”. This white suggesting a happy stereotypically associated with people who enjoy the
is also a pull to the audience because fans often want to ending. rock genre. The image is also a long shot, showing all of
hear about things that happen behind the scenes. the members as well as a fitting background (old and
decayed building).
Text/Picture Ratio: There appears to be a larger image therefore it still dominates the page
Font: The main font on the page is an old font that looks
even though there is only one. However, the writing of the interview is small and seems pretty
like Celtic ruins, linking into the title of the band Love
detailed. This still fits into the convention that the rock genre often has more pictures than Amongst Ruin and making the audience feel more
text. connected to them and it also makes the page appear
more personal.