NME (New Musical Express) Front Page Analysis

By Meghan Moore

Cover ImageThe image is a studio shot, which we can tell from the red background- we can assume he was photographed on a red backdrop or on a green screen. Dave Grohl is on the front cover. He has been photographed mid-shot using direct address. Grohl has his eyebrows furrowed and is baring his gritted teeth. This gives the impression that he is threatening someone or is angry- the fact that it’s direct address makes it seem like he is angry at us. This links in with the stereotype that rock music is threatening and angry. It also links in with the headline of his article, and we could interpret it as he is angry at the rumours that are around.We can’t see much of a costume on him, other than a blue t-shirt which is very simple. However this t-shirt contrasts with the red background and makes hi stand out more as it is the only blue on the page. His face is the main focus on the front cover because the article is about him. His hair seems messy, but in a way that makes it seem like it was made to be that way- this demonstrates that they are trying to give him a messy look to go with the style of the magazine.

His beard looks trimmed and is iconic in regards to him- in all his photos he has the same beard. There are no props in the cover so as not to be a distraction.The only iconography in regards to the picture is Grohl’s own iconography, for example his beard, and his expression.

The masthead is placed in the top left corner, just underneath one of the banners. It is in front of Grohl’s face, which demonstrates that the masthead needs to stand out. The use of an acronym as the name highlights that it needs to be remembered. The colour of the masthead fits in with the colour scheme of red, white and black, and the acronym is in a sans serif font to make it stand out. However, the full title is a serif font to make it stand out from everything else, even if it is in the mid-ground and partially covered.There are six cover lines used here, presented as banners, buttons and boxes, which makes the cover seem very busy but also exciting as there is a lot to read. The main cover line here is the one referring to Grohl. The use of size to make “Foo Fighters” larger than the rest of the text highlights that the band is extremely important, and the magazine is trying to attract fan’s of the band. As a whole, the main cover line is bigger than anything else, which demonstrates that Grohl himself is still at the centre of the magazine.The use of thumbnails in the other boxes demonstrates that they are still trying to highlight the idea of there being other articles and other people involved. Some of the pictures are silly, or not as serious, such as the action shot of Ricky Dillon on crutches and the picture of Andy Nicholson using non-direct address, with a seemingly silly smirk on his face. Gnarls Barkley’s picture is also quite silly.

This makes the magazine seem more fun. The use of the button is to make the competition look different from the other articles. The creator obviously wanted to make the competition stand out. The magazine has also made the banners and boxes, such as the Arctic Monkeys and Primal Scream ones, seem slightly ripped and battered which is used to make the magazine seem more rough around the edges and more rock and roll.The majority of the cover lines are in full capitals. However, in the title for the Dave Grohl article and in the box for the Primal Scream article, the taglines are in upper and lower case which works quite well as it makes the articles seem more serious.The main colours are red, yellow, black and white. These colours work well as they’re bright and attract the reader’s eye. They also make Grohl stand out more since he is in blue. The majority of the text on the page is sans-serif and in the same font. The use of a house style makes the magazine much more unified.

Text

The masthead is placed behind the box about Gnarls Barkley but in front of Grohl’s head. This demonstrates that the masthead is extremely important and needs to stand out as much as possible. However, the fact that the masthead is behind a box demonstrates that it doesn’t want to distract from any of the other articles.The cover has a large banner stretching out at the top. It is relatively small in comparison to everything else but the background makes the viewer look at it. It is the same with the small box containing the Primal Scream interview or the button- the use of a colour background means that out eyes are drawn to it. However, the use of yellow and white in the other articles also sets them apart from the articles with colours and therefore also draws the eye. All the articles are very much visible and attention-grabbing but in different ways.At the top of the visual hierarchy is the article concerning the Foo Fighters. This is because of the use of a thick black outline around the name of the band. It is also starkly white against Grohl’s face and the red background. Next would be the masthead itself as it is just as large but the red of the title is the same as the red of the background which makes it blend in a little bit. Next would be the other articles surrounding Grohl’s face as they are all very similar in size and draw the eye in different ways.

LayoutThe button is the final thing in the visual hierarchy as it is so small, and doesn't’t do the same thing as the other articles.

The genre of music that the magazine is reporting on is first made clear by the use a rough, vicious look to Dave Grohl. This gives the impression that rock music is vicious and rough which is a common stereotype. Although a t-shirt isn’t particularly rock and roll, by adding to Dave Grohl’s expression and the rest of the magazine, it works quite well.The idea of rock being rough around the edges is also highlighted by the use of the ripped effect banners and the worn away effect on the button about the competition.The audience would most likely be an older one, probably middle-aged men. This is because lots of the bands that the magazine are reporting on are liked more by people of that age, although it could easily be enjoyed by anyone of any age and gender. The article about the Kaiser Chief’s definitely targets a younger audience as they are a younger band. The competition is also more likely to be targeting aspiring musicians who would usually be young.The front cover is very busy and messy, but this makes the magazine seem more exciting and free. Although Grohl’s face is not particularly inviting, the expression is very unique compared to other music magazines which would still encourage someone to pick up the magazine.

Also, by highlighting the “Foo Fighters” title, the creator is encouraging fans of the band to pick up the magazine.

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