GREEN DAY DIGIPACK

A Bit of Background Information…

As at the moment, I am unsure as to what kind of genre I will be using for my final products, therefore, I am keeping my options open and will analyse three different type of genres. One being rock – which is the Green Day digipack now – and the other two most likely being indie and pop. Then, at a later date I can analyse more digipacks that will have more relevance to a particular genre. Hopefully these ‘testers’ will help me make that decision.

PROMOTIONAL IDEAS

On the previous slide are three different kinds of promotional ideas of Green Day's 'American Idiot' including the album cover, the poster and the video (live). There is a definite link between the ideas as on the cover and poster we can see a hand holding a hand grenade which is shaped like a heart and is supposedly the colour of a heart; this is also seen throughout the video on the screen. The hand grenade is being squeezed almost like a heart beating, which could suggest the song is about love and possibly losing it. After listening to the lyrics though, it is more believable that it is about making a stand against society and America's values as they do not think they are helping society in the right way.

We know from previous singles and albums that Green Day are a rock band, so the dark colours are used as a theme throughout each of the products to represent the genre. Additionally, the set up of the video is very clever as it links well with the title of the song. The American flag is behind the band through most of the video, whilst idiotic things are happening such as a green liquid spilling over the sides to where they are making their music, also when they are smashing up their instruments, that could be classed as idiotic.

ANALYSIS

Moreover, on the video, the American flag behind them is green at the start, however, as the video continues the green overflows over the sides and leaves the American flag looking almost white. This could suggest that America is out of hand and is plain and the same, nobody is very unique anymore and that we need to rebel against the 'system' and change the ways in which we're being socialised.

Seen as the poster and the album cover are of the same imagery (abstract, with dark, simple colours) it could suggest we're being pushed into something we don't want to do. Other album covers of 'Green Days' are much the same, which could have more of an effect on the audience as we have grown accustomed to what we expect of the band and their music. As the cover and the poster are the same, it would suggest it has been done for a certain reason and could gain attention more, with more people taking notice of the advertising the products are giving to the band. It could gain more attention, mainly due to the fact you are surrounded by the same image, rather then two different ones, as it would have less impact.

Moreover, on the bottom right of the album cover is a sticker that says 'parental advisory, explicit content', which gives you more of an idea of what kind of music genre it has and fits with the rest of the ideas well.

ANALYSIS CONTINUED…