Feature Article Analysis 2

This is also taken from NME and is a feature article, however the artists, The Vaccines, are established. For this reason the article relies only on their interview and does not use a sidebar to showcase other bands. As the article is based on the assumption the consumer bought NME to read about The Vaccines, who were also the cover artist of this issue. The kicker is longer here and the band has had more recognition and hype to summarise. The journalists name is also, conventionally for NME, stated here. Two dropcaps are used here, one will begin the summary and set the scene and the other will mark the beginning of the interview. Only one pull quote is used on this page and it amplifies a controversial statement from the band about being ‘pop’ artists, this positions the audience to be intrigued and read the full interview to gain context on this statement of genre definition.

The image of the band used is also very large and takes up a page, NME use no text over it as it can also be used as a poster. The photo used is a close up/medium shot of the band. It shows their instruments to represent themselves and create the ideology of a live, grungy rock and roll band. They are also positioned with the singer’s head centrally to connote his leadership, all the others are in the top third and background to represent a platform type structure. Direct mode of address is used by all members to represent themselves as figures of power, and imply that they should be looked up to by the audience. The band are styled in beige which is a very neautral colour and connotes simplicity, this also represents the band as adaptable – implying they can keep up with whatever their fans want. This image is also coherent to zeitgeist of indie music right now.

The layout is very classic and minimalistic. The page design uses blue graphic shapes to avoid dead space and looking plain. The blue of the shapes is also a sign repetition of the dropcap colour and pull quote, it also creates convergence across the media text. The title simply states the bands name and gives nothing away, this adds to the minimalistic theme and represents mystery and makes the consumer read in order to discover information. Overall this article layout represents a minimalistic pop rock band with a vintage appeal and fashion sense, they are very in line with the current zeitgeist and therefore don’t need to be over-hyped to the consumer and a minimal layout works best.