Oasis - Wonderwall
Wonderwall was released in October 1995 and got to number two in the UK singles chart. The song won Best British Video at the 1996 Brit Awards.
According to Noel the song was written about a girl he met at a concert when he was touring with Oasis. But he now claims that isnt true and he says 'It's a song about an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself'.
Monday, 21 June 2010
Music Video Analysis; The Wombats
The Wombats - Let Dance To Joy Divison
Let's Dance To Joy Division is the second single from second album. The song is based on a drunken night when the lead singer (Matthew Murphy) danced on a table with his girlfriend 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by Joy Division.
The stock setting for the video is in a basement
Let's Dance To Joy Division is the second single from second album. The song is based on a drunken night when the lead singer (Matthew Murphy) danced on a table with his girlfriend 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by Joy Division.
The stock setting for the video is in a basement
Music Video Analysis; The Maccabees
The Maccabees - First Love
First Love was the third song released by the band.
Throughout the video we are presented with a number of different characters, all are seen on their own playing with a prop for example, one of the males is playing with lipstick. The action on screen helps to anchor the song lyrics. The song is about heart break and how people are trying to get over it as they go through a repetitive patterns of doing things. Love being the main theme of the song is very stereotypical of indie bands therefore will appeal to their target audience.
The main stock setting in the video is an empty house, this could be to help to portray the characters feelings, they feel empty inside because they're heartbroken and alone. Also another thing which anchors this idea is that the interior of the house is white, white has many connotations to it but is seen as quite a cold colour, therefore maybe referring to that maybe if the people in the video hadn't been so selfish then they wouldn't but feeling they way they do now.
Throughout the video there are many straight cuts, this is to show that all of the characters are going through the same thing and our feeling the same way, which is being hurt and heartbroken. This therefore makes the audience feel empathy for the characters and want to continue watching. As the music speeds up the edits get quicker and there are more jump shut. Anchored by the music lyrics it portrays to the audience that the characters don't want to feel like this anymore and really hurt.
There are many high angle shots of the characters, this shot it very effect as it helps to portray the narrative to the audience. Using this shot on the characters its showing that they have lost all their status and credibility that they have lost everything that meant a lot to them. This appeals to the target audience as many of them would have gone through heartbreak so therefore will be able to relate to the characters.
The target audience is clear from watching the video, they are targeting a young people round the age of 18 and over. As a lot of people around this age are falling in and out of love they will be able to relate to the music. Also because the band are around a similar age then the audience are likely to be more intrigued and have more of an enigma to watching and listening rather than to someone who is a lot older of younger than they are.
Like the Arctic Monkeys, The Maccabees in this video are dressed very conventionally indie, again like Arctic Monkeys going for the 'mod' style, wearing jeans with shirts and ties, long hair and going for the un-maintained look. They do this because they know it appeals to their target audience, therefore make the band seem more appealing to them.
The use of props through the video really help to anchor to the audience how characters are feeling, for example, lipstick, dress, flower, heart etc. Most of these props are not stereotypical for an indie band, we usally have props like guitars, alcohol, cigarettes etc. But in this case it works really well, have these strange props for the characters to play with help the audience connect with each character therefore understand the song better.
First Love was the third song released by the band.
Throughout the video we are presented with a number of different characters, all are seen on their own playing with a prop for example, one of the males is playing with lipstick. The action on screen helps to anchor the song lyrics. The song is about heart break and how people are trying to get over it as they go through a repetitive patterns of doing things. Love being the main theme of the song is very stereotypical of indie bands therefore will appeal to their target audience.
The main stock setting in the video is an empty house, this could be to help to portray the characters feelings, they feel empty inside because they're heartbroken and alone. Also another thing which anchors this idea is that the interior of the house is white, white has many connotations to it but is seen as quite a cold colour, therefore maybe referring to that maybe if the people in the video hadn't been so selfish then they wouldn't but feeling they way they do now.
Throughout the video there are many straight cuts, this is to show that all of the characters are going through the same thing and our feeling the same way, which is being hurt and heartbroken. This therefore makes the audience feel empathy for the characters and want to continue watching. As the music speeds up the edits get quicker and there are more jump shut. Anchored by the music lyrics it portrays to the audience that the characters don't want to feel like this anymore and really hurt.
There are many high angle shots of the characters, this shot it very effect as it helps to portray the narrative to the audience. Using this shot on the characters its showing that they have lost all their status and credibility that they have lost everything that meant a lot to them. This appeals to the target audience as many of them would have gone through heartbreak so therefore will be able to relate to the characters.
The target audience is clear from watching the video, they are targeting a young people round the age of 18 and over. As a lot of people around this age are falling in and out of love they will be able to relate to the music. Also because the band are around a similar age then the audience are likely to be more intrigued and have more of an enigma to watching and listening rather than to someone who is a lot older of younger than they are.
Like the Arctic Monkeys, The Maccabees in this video are dressed very conventionally indie, again like Arctic Monkeys going for the 'mod' style, wearing jeans with shirts and ties, long hair and going for the un-maintained look. They do this because they know it appeals to their target audience, therefore make the band seem more appealing to them.
The use of props through the video really help to anchor to the audience how characters are feeling, for example, lipstick, dress, flower, heart etc. Most of these props are not stereotypical for an indie band, we usally have props like guitars, alcohol, cigarettes etc. But in this case it works really well, have these strange props for the characters to play with help the audience connect with each character therefore understand the song better.
Music Video Analysis; Arctic Monekys
Arctic Monkeys - Fake Tales Of San Francisco
The song Fake Tales Of San Francisco is one of the bands signature tracks as it was one of the band's first recorded tracks. The song derides a fictional South Yorkshire band for taking its inspiration from the USA while never having been there, with lyrics such as "I'd love to tell you all my problem / You're not from New Your City, you're from Rotherham", and "He talks of San Francisoco, he's from Hunter's Bar".
There's a pan shot of a row of shops to open the music video, this is very effective shot because it's like the shot is being film in a moving car therefore portraying the idea that its like a 'home video' therefore intriguing the audience because they feel like they're getting an inside view of the band. This then creates an enigma for them to continue on watching.
As the video continues we see a close-up of a drum, by having this shot it shows the importance of the music to the band especially because we haven't seen any of the band members yet.
Throughout the video there are many different settings but i would say the main one is within a club or an academy venue where the band is playing live. I feel they used this as their main stock setting for this video because its one of their first videos/songs released they wanted to portray to the audience that they're really passionate about there music that they want to perform live to an audience. Also because the video is like a 'home video' and all the clips of the band playing are real not put on for the video it makes the audience watching it feel like they're getting an inside view and as they get to see what one of their gigs are like it creates an enigma for the audience to go and see the live.
The costume the band members are wearing are very conventional indie clothing (very fashionable), they're wearing polo shirts, shirts, skinny jeans etc. All the clothing is very stereotypical of bands of this genre, they have a sort of 'mod' style going on. A lot of the male listeners would be influenced by the clothing they are wearing as they look up to the band and see them as their 'idols'. A few of the band members were wearing stereotypical indie branded clothing, for example Fred Perry, this again is a typical connotation of an Indie band. Also the band members in the video have long hair, again referring to a 'mod' style as they're going for the un-maintained look.
The target audience is very clear from watching this video, their target audience is fairly young people who are into the gig scene. Throughout the video there our clips of their gig and the vast majority of the people at the gig are 18 and over, therefore they're aiming their music at that segment. We can also tell this also because the band members themselves are only young and therefore their music would be able to relate to people more of people around a similar age range to them.
The genre is portrayed through the iconography, for example, stage lighting, the props; guitars, drums, drinking alcohol, smoking etc. All these thing are very stereotypical to be seen in a music video of this genre and portray the an image young people at parties/gigs, out to have a good time, most of the time to getting drunk and sometimes getting into fights. This esenstionally represents the youth as being uncontrollable and therefore agreeing with the stereotype. I feel that the video would appeal to the target audience well and they would be able to relate with the action which is going on in the video.
The song Fake Tales Of San Francisco is one of the bands signature tracks as it was one of the band's first recorded tracks. The song derides a fictional South Yorkshire band for taking its inspiration from the USA while never having been there, with lyrics such as "I'd love to tell you all my problem / You're not from New Your City, you're from Rotherham", and "He talks of San Francisoco, he's from Hunter's Bar".
There's a pan shot of a row of shops to open the music video, this is very effective shot because it's like the shot is being film in a moving car therefore portraying the idea that its like a 'home video' therefore intriguing the audience because they feel like they're getting an inside view of the band. This then creates an enigma for them to continue on watching.
As the video continues we see a close-up of a drum, by having this shot it shows the importance of the music to the band especially because we haven't seen any of the band members yet.
Throughout the video there are many different settings but i would say the main one is within a club or an academy venue where the band is playing live. I feel they used this as their main stock setting for this video because its one of their first videos/songs released they wanted to portray to the audience that they're really passionate about there music that they want to perform live to an audience. Also because the video is like a 'home video' and all the clips of the band playing are real not put on for the video it makes the audience watching it feel like they're getting an inside view and as they get to see what one of their gigs are like it creates an enigma for the audience to go and see the live.
The costume the band members are wearing are very conventional indie clothing (very fashionable), they're wearing polo shirts, shirts, skinny jeans etc. All the clothing is very stereotypical of bands of this genre, they have a sort of 'mod' style going on. A lot of the male listeners would be influenced by the clothing they are wearing as they look up to the band and see them as their 'idols'. A few of the band members were wearing stereotypical indie branded clothing, for example Fred Perry, this again is a typical connotation of an Indie band. Also the band members in the video have long hair, again referring to a 'mod' style as they're going for the un-maintained look.
The target audience is very clear from watching this video, their target audience is fairly young people who are into the gig scene. Throughout the video there our clips of their gig and the vast majority of the people at the gig are 18 and over, therefore they're aiming their music at that segment. We can also tell this also because the band members themselves are only young and therefore their music would be able to relate to people more of people around a similar age range to them.
The genre is portrayed through the iconography, for example, stage lighting, the props; guitars, drums, drinking alcohol, smoking etc. All these thing are very stereotypical to be seen in a music video of this genre and portray the an image young people at parties/gigs, out to have a good time, most of the time to getting drunk and sometimes getting into fights. This esenstionally represents the youth as being uncontrollable and therefore agreeing with the stereotype. I feel that the video would appeal to the target audience well and they would be able to relate with the action which is going on in the video.
Sunday, 20 June 2010
CD Cover Evaluation; Jack Penate
Jack Penate; Matinee
Matinee is the debut album for Jack Penate, it was released in January 2007. The album reached number one on the UK Indie Albums chart, and number seven on the UK Albums Chart.
Like the Jamie T cover this is a very unique album compared to the others i have analysed. But as this is Jack's first album he most likely didn't want it to be stereotypical, he wanted to stand out.
In the center of the cover there's an old fashioned print out photo, because its in the centre of the frame it stands out. Another thing which makes it stand out is that its in black and white compared to the rest of the background which is bright yellow, pink, blue etc. I've found that a lot of indie covers i have analysed are black and white, and because jack has incorporated this into his cover it has made him appeal to his target audience. Although he's incorporated this he's still been unique and put the colour background behind him. I feel this portrays his music, he has some loud, upbeat music but also relaxing, chill-out music.
Jack has put himself onto the cover by doing this it makes the listener to connect with the artist and therefore enjoy the music more. It also gives the someone to relate the songs back to.
The font used on the cover really stands out, its a very unique font used for this genre of music. He's gone for a narrow, swirly, quite fun looking font, because it isn't stereotypical it draws the eye in.
CD Cover Evaluation; Jamie T
Jamie T; Panic Prevention
Panic Prevention is Jamie T's debut album, it was released in January 2007. The album has sold over 159,400 copies in the UK. It also came 100th in a list of Top 100 Albums of 2007 in the UK.
When you first look at the cover because its so busy you don't know where to look or what to think, this automatically builds an enigma for the listener because they are intrigued to what his music is going to sound and be like. Also this being Jamie's first album it makes him stand out from the other artists of the same the genre.
The setting of the cover looks like its bedroom, it looks like a teenager or young adult bedroom, therefore instantly targeting its target audience. The room is covered with lots of different thing, this could be portraying that his music is different and not the same thing which listeners are used to hearing. Also because its filled with lots of stuff it could be portraying and connecting with his target audience that he understands they have a lot of things on their mind or things to worry about. Which then portrays that if they listen to his music it might take it all off their mind. Another thing that anchors this idea is that the man on the cover looks bewildered and stressed within the environment he's in.
The album is so-called because of the panic attacks Jamie suffered as an adolescent. Most of the songs on the album deal with aspects of modern 'youth' culture in the UK'.
Because the camera is looking down at the man in the cover it makes him look really small which connotes his lack of status and power. But anchored by the environment its portrayed to the audience that he's trapped and once to get out of this environment. Therefore creating an enigma for the audience who maybe feel the same to listen to his music because they might the escape from feeling like this.
CD Cover Evaluation; The Cribs
The Cribs; Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever
The album cover to the left was The Cribs third album and was released in May 2007. It reached 13 on the UK Album Charts.
This is a very unique album cover for this type of genre, most of the album covers within this genre are very plain and simple but this one is telling a story and links in really well with the title.
The whole of the cover is in black and white, i found that this is very common within this type of genre. With the cover being black and white it portrays that this is something brand new and different from other music out there. Also it builds on old fashion effect that is going on in the image on the cover. Another reason why they might have decided to go for the old fashion theme is because maybe they're portraying a hidden message that they've gone 'old school' with their music and spent a lot time and really want to do well.
The text they've used for their band title is in all capital letters, white and is in headlights. I feel that this connotes that with this album they really want to stand out and for it to be a real success. I feel this is because with the first two Cribs albums they didn't do particularly well so with this one they really wanted to break into the indie market. The font used of the album title really stands out and your eye is automatically drawn to it because its highlighted in white and next to the main image of the man and the woman.
The image they used on this cover fits in really well with the title and attracts and creates an enigma for the listeners as they are intrigued to listen to the music. The scene of the picture is quite romantic as it looks like the man and the woman have gone on a date to the cinema or theater, this could be connoting that their music is maybe quite relaxing romantic. Also that it appeals to males and females.
CD Cover Evaluation; The Kooks
The Kooks; Konk
Konk is the second album by The Kooks, it was released in April 2008. The album got to number 1 in the UK album chart.
Like other bands within the genre of indie The Kooks have gone for a quite plain simple cover. Although they've done this it still looks appealing and their audience will be attracted to purchase it. The vast majority of the cover is in black with parts of blue and white. Both black and white are very popular colours to have on album covers within the genre of indie, for example Arctic Monkeys. Black has many connotations connected to it, commonly black portrays a feeling of mystery therefore this could create an enigma for the listener as they don't know what to expect from their music. Also all the black on the cover could be portraying that its night time, and because they're standing in a doorway it gives the impression that its a night club. Therefore this could be suggesting that their music on this album would be played a places like this.
On this particular cover they have decided to have themselves on it, by doing this it i feel it helps the listener to connect more with the music and to be able to relate their songs back to the people themselves.
The text on the cover is a very important factor because its similar to the other text which has appeared on their other albums, therefore when listeners see the album they will intently be attracted to it because they will recognise the text.
With the text being white it stands out from the rest of the cover. The colour white connotes something new and unique, they would of picked this colour on purpose because of its connotations.
CD Cover Evaluation; Arctic Monekys
Arctic Monkeys; Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
The album cover to the left was Arctic Monkeys debut album,it was released in January 2006 and became the fastest selling album in the UK since records began.
Within the genre of Indie many of the album cover are quite simplistic and the Arctic Monkeys have followed this stereotype with this particular album. The image used is very dominant to the frame (in the forefront) and is the main focus to the cover, the image is of a man who looks like he in his 20's, this is therefore targeting its target audience. When looking at the album cover there's one thing that really stands out and that is the prop used; cigarette. This is a very iconic feature for the genre, in this image it is connoting a 'rock 'n' roll' lifestyle, the man in the image seems very relaxed and chilled out while he smokes. It could also be anchoring the music, that you can just sit down and listen to it and chill.
The whole of the cover is in black and white; black connotes authority and power, this could anchor the thought that Arctic Monkeys what to be 'top dogs' in this genre of music, they wanted to be the ones other bands looked up to. And then with the contrasted colour of white which connotes something pure and new, this fit in very well as they're a new band, its there first album and its something original. Having the album cover these colour's it stripped the band down to their bare essentials so they stand out from the other Indie bands and so that they attract their target audience.
The text on the cover really stands out from the rest of the cover, the font is highlighted in a white, which draws peoples eye to look at it. The font colour is black, this fits in with the black and white theme which is going on the cover. The font they use could is a very unique font, all in lower case and very close together. Looks like a fun font, this could be anchoring the band in the way they're. Not a stereotypical font you'd see on album cover therefore it makes them stand out from other bands of the same genre.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Deciding our genre
Once we was briefed on the task we decided what groups we was going to be in. My group for this coursework is Georgina Collyer, Ollie Shellard and Sophie Dockerty. We choose to be a group because we thought we would work well together as a group and produce a good music promo video, a CD cover and magazine cover. As a group we decided to focus on the genre of 'Indie' we choose to do this particular genre because we all know a lot about the genre. In the genre of Indie there are many bands and artists which we are aware of, e.g. Arctic Monkeys, The Cribs, Jamie T, The Kooks etc. By doing research into these artists we can get a good insight into the Indie genre and therefore produce high quality products. To begin our research as a group we done a mind map of our genre 'indie', which included connotaions, target audience, where it comes from and artists.
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