MOJO media language

Pink Floyd

What are the codes and conventions of music magazine covers? are these on the MOJO cover?

Many music magazines contain cover lines, large masthead, main images and strap and skylines each in the style of the genre they attempt to portray. In Mojos magazine about the Pink Floyd, the content is ordered and all elements are present apart from the strapline. The cover line linked to the front cover is enlarged to draw the reader in and educate them on what is going to be covered in the upcoming pages.

How does the choice of elements influence meaning on the magazine cover

Each element used creates and portrays a message to the audience, for example, black and white colours connotate realism whereas technicolour connotes fantasy. Each element usually becomes a code and convention to a specific genre where audiences can easily identify what they are reading through the effect it gives off. 

Analyse image of the featured Artist, Masthead, Main cover line, cover lines, Selling lines. Look at the colour used, facial expression, clothing, font, camera angle, eye contact. What does it suggest? Does it relate to the genre?

The main image is four heads of each member of the band linear to each other staring directly at the reader, making the magazine feel directed at them, for them. The faces also portray a cold, hard expression which through the selection process, there were conscious decisions to associate that with psychedelic rock. Their genre is further emphasised by the technicolour background which creates a hallucinogenic theme further connoting fantasy, which the band attempt to recreate with their music.

What is the language used on the front cover?

 Many of the terms and phrases are used to create a violent and dangerous tone, for example, 'I have no fear', 'We attack songs' all portray aggressive language which may reflect the content of the songs. The harsh verbs used to create an unwelcoming tone and this paired with the blanc faces makes the band seem unlikable. The front cover usual casual language, there are not any big areas of writing but it isn't informal nor casual.

Is there a relationship between technology and media language on the cover?

In order to create the psychedelic effect on the front cover using technicolour, technology would have had to be used as well as editing on puffs, and other pictures.

Is there intertextuality used to create meaning?

There is no intertextuality present on the front cover.

Sex Pistols 

What are the codes and conventions of music magazine covers? are these on the MOJO cover?

Music magazine covers usually tend to contain, a large masthead, main image, images from the internet and straplines and skylines. MOJOs magazine on the sex pistols contains everything except a strapline. The MOJO magazine also includes quotations, puffs and an enlarged main cover line which is linked to a double page spread, the cover line stands out making the reader want to read on, ultimately having to buy it.

How does the choice of elements influence meaning on the magazine cover

Each element used on the front cover connotates something else, for example on Mojos magazine cover about the sex pistols, there is the minimal colour with splashes of pink and yellow which could indicate sophistication from the band or an element of maturity. The element used has gone through a selection process and has been put onto the front cover with a conscious decision to help the reader understand the genre more.

Analyse image of the featured Artist, Masthead, Main cover line, cover lines, Selling lines. Look at the colour used, facial expression, clothing, font, camera angle, eye contact. What does it suggest? Does it relate to the genre?

The main image is a mid shot image centre of the page, the artist is well dressed with a stern look connoting power but the eye level shot also creates a sense of equality between the artist and the reader. The main cover line has bold, bright colours with black cover lines- connoting sophistication and the neatly ordered content connotes authenticity which is reflected in the band.

What is the language used on the front cover?

The language on the front cover is colloquial which expresses the band's informality and casualty which makes them seem approachable. The language used isn't overly angry nor sweet potentially reflecting the band's personality.

Is there a relationship between technology and media language on the cover?

The front cover isn't overly photoshopped meaning there aren't any filters or effects on it, however, the layers of the puffs and cover lines over the main image show that technology must have been used to create it and images were taken from the internet and pasted onto the front cover.

Is there intertextuality used to create meaning?

No.