Music video 1. The stone roses - Fools gold

This is the music video for one of the most well known Stone Roses song 'Fools gold'. Released in 1989 it entered the U.K charts in the top ten. The video shows the band walking across the volcanic lands of Lanzarote as well as performing outdoors.

The video has no apparent narrative structure, however its not just video clips put together to make a longer video. Each piece of editing has been done to perfection to create a smooth and continuing effect. Different types of edits are used, however the most recognisable one is the fade which is used constantly throughout, to fade in and out of a scene. It's used throughout as for most of the video we see one image underneath the faded image of another so the fade out is used to concentrate on one image. This causes us to realise the importance of what comes after the edit.

The images we see on our screen are either the band walking across the tropical landscape or performing with the backdrop of the landscape. This connotes realism as it shows they're in the natural world and its nothing out of the ordinary. The clothes the band members are wearing also represent realism as they are casual items of clothing, e.g. t-shirts, jeans and hats. This creates a calm and causal mood which co insides with the music being played. When the individual members are shown doing there own different things, we see the different ingredients to the genre. The band members are placed towards the center of the screen, this connotes their importance at the time.

For example the print screen above shows the front man Ian Brown. He is in the center of the screen and the shot used is a medium close up, this allows the audience to see exactly what he's doing, which is holding a microphone and singing, this is key to the genre as they would not fit in without the singing. Also his t-shirt is significant as its unique, it has images of money around the collar, suggesting moneys importance in his life.

Another shot used to show important aspects to the genre is the close up of the guitar. This is important as the audience can see for themselves how its played and its significance is reinforced by it being the only prop in the frame.

The representation of gender is biast as the band is a male band. This suggests no female importance to the genre or the band itself. The middle class is represented in the video, this idea comes from the costumes the band members are wearing, this suggests that the band is an ordinary group of men, who haven't been gifted with money but nor do they struggle. The representation of a white male is predominantly suggesting that the genre is not open to people with an ethnic background.

A mood of mystery is created through the tints of different colour used throughout the video. These colour's portray the different feelings and emotions that the band are trying to put across through there song. For example the colour red is used to connote feelings of love which is what the song is about.

Summary of CD cover analysis

How do the CD covers make good use of the enigma code of narrative?

How is the font/colour etc used generically?

When analyzing the CD covers we found the font and colour used were very genetic, the vast majority of the bands/artists used the colours black or white. Both colours are ones which stand out and make a statement, white which connotes something new and original and as Indie bands are known for their original material it could be referring to that and black connoting mystery, this creates an enigma for the audience therefore enticing them to purchase the album. The font which Indie bands use is often unique to each band but most of their fonts are in bold and in capital letter, again this makes them stand out from other artists of this genre.

How is youth/gender/ethnicity represented on the CD covers?

Youth

On a lot of the Covers we looked at youth is being represented very stereotypically through alcohol, cigarettes, partying, causing a bit of trouble, partying etc. By representing youth this way on their covers it reinforces the stereotype of all negative connotations of youth. But by representing youth this way it appeals to their target audience. By representing youth this way on their cover the audience can instantly relate to the band and it gives them an idea what their music will be like. Although it’s like this in many cases, the Jack Penate and The Cribs CD covers don’t represent youth in this way. The Cribs represent woman and men as equal, as they're both have a similar stance etc. And on the Jack Penate it’s just him and a guitar which represents him as an individual and anchoring that his music is the most important factor.

Gender

All the covers we analyzed represented gender very stereotypical again with the men being dominate as the vast majority of the covers just had males on it. The reason for this could be the target audience for Indie is manly men therefore they will appeal and relate to them more. All the men on the covers had all the typical connotations of an Indie band; good looking front man, fashionable and the un-maintained look.

Ethnicity

The dominate ethnicity we found when analysing the CD covers was white, all the band members where white males. Because of this it could suggests that the large majority of the audience for this genre are white.

How do they appeal to the target audience?

The use of colour within the CD is an important tool for appealing to the target audience as it attracts the eye and makes the audience more likely to pick up and therefore buy the album. Furthermore, the use of costume and colour also allows the bands to look iconic and become easily recognised by their target audiences. Most of the CD covers with the band-members on connect to a more youthful target demographic as they themselves are youthful and become 'role-models' for the audience. Their costume may also influence the target audience who aspire to be like the band-members themselves. The fact that most of the band members are young also would have an affect on the target demographic of the band, therefore targeting a younger audience of teenagers and young adults. This is true of most of the CD covers as their target audience is likely to be around the ages of 16-26. However, in one of the CD covers, Jamie T's Panic Prevention, there is iconography of vinyl records. This could expand his target audience as it is associated with an older generation so could widen his demographic to an older generation also. Alot of the band members are also male which could connote that the indie genre is more targeted at a male audience. Many of the CD covers also make use of the enigma code which further pulls in the audience making them want to find out what the band and music on the album is about.

Album cover 5. The Libertines - 'The Libertines'

This was the cover for the Libertines second and final album. It was released in 2007 and topped the U.K album charts not to mention various other recognitions around the world.

The first thing to notice about this cover is the title in the center. This is unusual compared to other album covers in the genre as most have the title on the top. The fact its in the center connotes it's importance it also reinforces the bands name. The colours used are a contrast to each other, The black on white effect enables the title to stand out further, It also creates an enigma surrounded by mystery.

The characters on the cover tell us alot about the album and the genre. Firstly they are the two front men and founders of the band 'Carl Borat' and 'Pete Doherty' each of them are two strong characters who have had well known feuds, so the fact they're together signifies the strength that music has to bring people together.

The importance of the band is reinforced through the fact both Pete and Carl have 'Libertine' tattooed on their arms. The tattoo reinforces the key ingredient to the genre of individuality.

The clothes worn by the two band members are typical to the genre, one being the unmistakable two stripe of a Fred Perry polo top and one being a white vest. The polo top is typical of the genre as its well known for an indie band to be wearing branded clothing, usually polo tops. The vest however shows simplicity and openness. This is the desired affect and is reinforced through the fact that Carl is looking out to the audience, this creates an enigma and draws the consumer in to the album.

The target audience of this album is both male and female and aims for the younger generation, however not necessarily teenagers. We know this because of the two band members on the cover, the effect this has is that it draws different sets of people in. For example the two members are icons for many young boys, they have a strong and well known reputation for causing trouble and having problems with drugs. This rock and roll lifestyle that they portray draws younger males in as it looks like the perfect life for many. Woman can also be drawn in by this cover as for a female there is always the attraction to a sweaty male.

Album cover 4. The Wombats - a guide to love, loss and despiration

A guide to love, loss and desperation is the first album released by British Indie band 'The wombats' in 2007.

The image on the cover is of a set of shelves taken from what looks like someones bedroom. The mise en scene of the image creates a livened mood. The props used such as a glass, a fake mouth give the affect of a teenagers bedroom as there pointless things that can usually be found round a teenagers bedroom. The colours used are bright and stand out which creates a happy and relaxed mood. It can be seen as giving a hint to what the album contains within it.

The type of the title and band name is presented well through the use of different colours and fonts. The band name stands out because of the background colour of pink which is bound to catch the audiences eye, the use of capitals for 'WOMBATS' reinforces the importance of the band. This technique is used again for the title of the album, making it stand out. The effect this causes is that it reinforces the idea that the title is more important then the image, as the title of an album usually describes what the album contains.

This is used to good effect as we can highlight the target audience from this. Love Loss and desperation are some of the most dominant feelings and are usually linked to teenage years. Therefor connoting that the album is aimed at the younger generations. This idea is reinforced through the props and colours also used in the image that connotes a lively atmosphere. It could be said the intended target audience are teenage girls, this comes from the use of the colour pink which is associated with girls and is also reinforced by the word 'love' as there is common ideology that girls prefer to listen to songs of love.

Neither gender is represented on the cover, connoting that the album is open for both to listen too . This is a key ingredient to the genre as the genre is open up to both genders. The genre is put across to the audience through the use of props, as the props we can see in the image seem pretty unique and individual. Which is also the aim of alot of bands in the genre to be unique and different from the other bands or artists.

Album cover 3. Gossip - Movement

This is the second album released by American Indie band Gossip (The gossip) it was released in early 2003 and was like a changing point for the band who had previously been associated with Garage rock scene.

We can see the change in genres clearly from the two covers. Firstly the colours used are a complete contrast. The red and black on the first album cover connotes a dark and mysterious mood. Where as the blue and white colours of the second album connote a much more relaxed approach.

The album cover creates a relaxed mood. This is due to a number of elements, Firstly the images of the band members look like they are cut out and stuck on, creating a simplistic effect. The position of the band members is also important. The lead singer Beth Ditto is in the center connoting her importance. This also goes against common ideology that bands are lead by a male. The attire of the band members are mainly dark colours again connoting mystery much like their first albums colours. It also connotes professionalism and power, it makes them come across to the audience as confident.

The Font of the album name and band name is unique, its scruffy which is one of the ingredients to an indie band. The scruffiness stands out to the audience as it creates an enigma, because they are not really given any clue about the music. The title also stands out because its colour is black, connoting importance, the effect is aided by the background colour.

The target audience is not clear but we can gain some sense of who the album is aimed at. Firstly the scruffy font style can be associated with teenagers because of the common ideology that they are scruffy and disorganised. The album is not aimed at a specific gender, this idea is formed because of the use of all band members on the cover, both male and female.

Album cover 2 . The Maccabees - Colour it in

This is the cover of well known indie band, The Maccabees first album. Released in early 2007, the cover looks pretty simple at first glance.

The mise en scene of the image represents realism although the art work is in cartoon form. The realism comes across through the use of the glasses and different hairstyles the figures are dressed in. The Background colour is dull connoting an aire of mystery, the colours of the figures tie in with the background as they too are pretty dull. This creates a strange enigma for the audience.

Similar to Jamie T's album cover the bands name is in white font, making it stand out against the background colour. The font size is double the size of that used for the name of the album, connoting that the band is more important and that they are trying to get themselves noticed rather then the album. The Font for the name of the album clear compared to the font used for the bands name. This makes the message clear that they want you to remember the name.

The elements of the genre are put across to the audience quite simply by just how simple the cover is. The art work is unusual and rare for an album cover, this however makes it fit in to the indie genre as its individual. The connotations for the different colours used represents ethnicity and is reinforced by the facial hair, as we associate different styles of facial hair with different races/nationality's.

The gender represented is predominantly male, making it more likely that the target audience is the male gender. However because of the enigma created by the image and colours, we don't know much about the band which can cause either male and female to be drawn in. Finally because of the simplicity and unique style of the artwork it would be hard to see why the album would attract an older audience.