CD Cover Analysis - You me and everyone we know

Band: You me and everyone we know
Album: 'So young, so insane'  EP
Genre: Pop punk
Album release: November 18th 2008
Track Listing:

1. 'I Can Get Back Up Now' (3:40)

2. 'Could It Be Sunstroke?' (2:58)

3. 'A Symptom' (2:02)

4. 'Colourful Language' (3:07)

5. 'Sometimes We Have Too Much Fun' (2:50)

6. 'Happy Birthday' (3:59)

      You me and everyone we know formed in 2006 and they originate from Washington D.C.. This was their third album to be released and was done so independently. I'm unsure of whether the cover is primarily made up of computer graphics or whether it was actually a picture that the band or someone else painted and then put onto a computer programme.

     The bands music genre is pop punk, as stated in my previous analysis of 'All the small things' by Blink 182, pop punk is built on a fun, rebellious, loud attitude, and the different bold, primary colours used interpret this attitude into a simple yet powerful image. It's not particularly easy to see but the red almost circular shape in the middle of the frame is made out of red, paint like handprints, as are some of the blue 'smudges' in the corners at the bottom of the cover, there is also a solid white handprint in the very centre of the composition, beneath the album title. The use of the handprints, although subtle, almost present a metaphor for the mark we leave on life, they agin also interpret the fun, youthfulness of the music on the album, and so the album cover links well to the music on the CD within.

     The typography looks as if it was, and may have actually  been, painted on with paint and a paint brush, this shows continuity in the image. The album name almost fills the entire frame and is the only part done in black, because of this it stands out and is reasonably easy to read above the 'messy' design underneath. The Name of the band is in the bottom left corner and is less easy to read as it is quite small and merges with the picture behind it slightly, this enhances the title of the album even more and the title itself presents the overall message of the album/music, 'So young, so insane', it sums up the bands style and the spirit of the music. By allowing the title/masthead to stand out it creates a statement and gives the audience an instant impression of the album/band which is helpful especially to those who may not be familiar with their music, the album catches their attention, gives them a visual interpretation of what to expect and may encourage them therefore to purchase it, after all, the point in an album cover is to identify and sell.

      I'd like to comment on what is on the inside and on the back of the album case but unfortunately I do not own a hard copy and I can't seem to find pictures of it online. However, during my search I did come across a page dedicated to pop punk music and this album cover was put up onto the website so that fans  could preview the EP cover before the release date. Beneath the picture people have commented on what they think of the artwork and it's quite interesting to see their opinions of it, it received quite a good review from everyone:

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=674692

Video Analysis - 'All the small things' by Blink 182

Lyrics

All the, small things

Truth care, truth brings

I'll take, one lift

Your ride, best trip

Always, I know

You'll be at my show

Watching, waiting, commiserating

Say it ain't so

I will not go

Turn the lights off

Carry me home

Nananananananananana

Late night, come home

Work sucks, I know

She left me roses by the stiars

Suprises let me know she cares

Say it ain't so

I will not go

Turn the lights off

Carry me home

Nananananananananana

Say it ain't so

I will not go

Turn the lights off

Carry me home

Nananananananananana

Keep your head still

I'll be your thrill

The night will go on

My little windmill

Say it ain't so

I will not go

Turn the lights off

Carry me home

Nananananananananana

Keep your head still

I'll be your thrill

The night will go on, the night will go on

My little windmill

Genre characteristics

     The band were formed in 1992 and originate from California. They are one of the most sucessful pop-punk bands of all time. Released in January 2000 this track is considered to be one of Blinks signature songs, it hit the charts high across the world, peaking at number two in the UK. This video shows them taking the micky out of typical cheesy pop boy bands that were so popular in the 90's, and this piss take, just have fun attitude is what Blink 182 are so well known and loved for. Pop-punk in general promotes this fun, rebellious, breaking away from the boring average perspective, and so the video fits very well to the genre of music. It also shows the band performing and playing their own instruments which gives them their image and also shows that they are not one of the commercially formed boy bands that they are mocking.

Technical aspects of the video
     Pans and tracks are used a lot to allow smooth, fast movement of the camera to create a very energetic video. When the band are dressed up in costumes to imitate other boy bands, the camera often looks up at them from a low angle to show that they think highly of themselves and everyone else bows down to them, this adds to the mocking of the pop bands. The locations used are a beach and an aircraft hanger, two places that can be seen in pop group music videos. Other than a short stint of monotone, the video is very colourful, this makes it more fun and light, also Blinks music videos are often colourful, especially for their upbeat songs like this one, it is part of their image. Editing is used as standard to show new scenes and so show the various outfit changes, slow motion is also seen to again, mock pop groups.

The star image
     This video shows Blink 182 in typical style having a joke and messing around, it was one of the things they became so famous for. Also, the short clips of them actually playing their instruments shows that they have the talent and that they can perform.

Relation of visuals to the music
     The length of the shots become slightly longer at slower points in the song, so that rhythm of the images matches that of the music. The upbeat sound of the song also pairs well with the vibrant images used.

Relation of visuals to the lyrics
     The guitarist, Tom Delonge, wrote this song for his then girlfriend, he stated in an interview that he was a Ramones fan and so wanted to write a song that had 'na nas' in it. The lyrics themselves make sense to a certain extent, it's someone talking about someone they care about, but with the video there are few links, unless you look at it that they are singing a love song, which is extremely common for pop bands, of whom they are taking the micky.

Notion of looking
      As well as eye line matching between the band and the other characters, such as the groupies, their is also eye line matching between the band and the camera, the viewer is looked at directly.

Intertextual references
     Although there is no actual footage of pop group music videos, they are re-created by Blink, and so are in a way referred to through their re-creation.

Video Analysis - 'Propane Nightmares' by Pendulum

Lyrics

Something's tearing me down

And down

Can't help but feel it's coming from you

She's a gunshot bride

With a trigger cries

I just wonder what we've gotten ourselves into

In a trail of fire I know we will be free again

In the end we will be one

In a trail of fire I'll burn before you bury me

Set your sights for the sun

Mind is willing

Soul remains

This woman cannot be saved

From the drawn into the fire

Mind is willing

Soul remains

This woman cannot be saved

From the drawn into the fire

Any danger

Bring it on home (x4)

Much to weak to jump yourself

Heal the wounds or crack the shell

Lift yourself from once below

Much to weak to jump yourself

Heal the wounds or crack the shell

Lift yourself from once below

Praise the anger

Bring it on home (x4)

In a trail of fire I know we will be free gaain

In the end we will be one

In a trail of fire I'll burn before you bury me

Set your sights for the sun

Bring it home

Genre characteristics
     Pendulum are an Australian band who formed in 2002. Their genre is a bit difficult to pin point as people have varied opinions on what it comes under, but it is generally considered to be drum and bass/electric rock. This track was their first UK top 10 single, peaking at number nine in the charts. The video shows a few scenes of the band playing nearer the beginning, but mainly it depicts a story, focusing on two main characters in particular, as they flee a bizarre cult suicide.
     It is very typical of dance music and drum and bass to not feature much, if anything, of the artist(s) in the video, instead there is normally a dramatic story depicted, often there is some sort of fast paced chase happening, or images are used to match the pace of the beat, generally the video is made in a way where it aids the music in 'pumping up' the viewer/listener as that is the mood of that particular type of music. Rock music videos vary a bit more, but usually the band/artist is seen performing in the video and there is some sort of separate story going on.
     What we see in this video is a combination of characteristics from both the dance music genre and the rock music genre, although leaning more towards the characteristics of a dance music video with the story taking up more screen time than the band, this makes perfect sense though as the bands music is these two genres entwined but they do fit more easily under the dance/drum and bass title.

Technical aspects of the video
     Cinematography, editing, and mise en scene are all used to present the story to the viewer and create a certain atmosphere to the video, ultimately adding to the bands image. The use of things such as the handheld camera, dark costumes, low key lighting, the 'scary' setting, lots of different shot types including low angles and close ups, using very shallow focus so that nothing in the shot is clear, and the heavy use of cuts, during the running sequence especially, make it quite an energetic, dark video.

The star image
     This goes well with the bands image as their music is energetic and kind of heavy. They are shown not too far into the video, when the music suddenly goes from calm to loud, with the 'drop' of the music images are shown of the band playing their instruments, but within the story, they are inside the shack where the main part of the narrative takes place, they are involved. Seeing them play their own instruments and performing even for a short while establishes the band and shows off their skills, it also allows the audience/fans to get closer to them, however by them not having much screen time it shows that it's the music that is important, it means more to the band than their own fame, a lot of people who are into music, this type especially, appreciate that outlook and so this video appeals to them a lot.

Relation of visuals to the music
     In terms of genre and mise en scene, the music fits pretty well to the visuals, the lack of colour suits well, if the video was really bright and vibrant it would really contrast with the music style. The length of each of the shots becomes shorter or longer according to the pace of the music at the time, for example there are lots of short shots of characters being 'healed' when the music is quicker, this means that the speed of the images visually matches the musics speed.


Relation of visuals to the lyrics
     The lyrics to the song are reasonably odd, they make sense to a certain extent but it isn't completely clear what the meaning of them is. In the video, during the first half, different characters say different lines on the lyrics and in that respect they make sense, for example the main guy who is quite uncertain about this event they are all attending mimes the line 'I just wonder what we've gotten ourselves into'. So in this way the lyrics relate to the visuals a lot, but overall I'd say they only loosely relate to what's going on, they're not really specific enough to be linked to anything.

Notion of looking
     The eye line of the characters within the story are matched, but no-ones eye lines are matched to the camera directly, this shows that the audience are not being addressed but are just watching the story unfold.

How to analyse a music video, according to Goodwin.

Andrew Goodwin identifies key aspects of the music video that we the audience should watch for:

1. Notion of looking: Is there eye contact with the artist, what eye line matching is used, how is the scene being 'watched', is it just the camera man who can see the artist or is the audience acknowledged?

2. Genre characteristics: A music video allows the artist to either fit to their genre, such as a pop group performing a dance routine, or challenge the expectations of their genre, such as a heavy metal band having a very vibrant, upbeat video.

3. The Star Image: This relates to how the video presents and sells the artist, they may have a particular style created by themselves or their record label which is seen in all their work, it strengthens their identification and makes them more notable, for example Lady Gaga is known for her bizarre costumes and dramatic videos.

4. Relation of visuals to the song (music/lyrics): The relationship between music/lyrics and visuals can be illustrative (the video shows images that represent the meaning of the lyrics and genre, this is most commonly used), amplifying (meanings and effects are manipulated and repeatedly shown in the video so that they are forced into our vision) or the visuals can show disjuncture (this is where the visuals show absolutely no relation to the music/lyrics).

5. Technical aspects of the music video: This is the sound, editing, mise en scene and cinematography that make up the video. Points such as location, lighting, cuts in accordance with beats all decide on the atmosphere of the video and how entertaining it is.

6. Intertextual references: Is there any reference to films, television shows or other music videos? For example a song that is a soundtrack to a movie may show clips of the film in the video.

By using these different references it is easier to analyse music videos and understand them more.

First Post

     I've restarted my blog and deleted all my previous posts as they weren't particularly good and I hadn't put much effort into them. I've finally got the design of my blog the way I want, for the moment at least, and so now I can start writing my entry's properly.
   
     The point in this blog is to document the work I do as I create my A2 Media Studies Coursework, which is to produce a music video and a promotional package, this includes an album cover and a poster to advertise the 'new album release'. On the blog I need to include my planning and research, such as analysis of real music videos, the storyboard for my video, the production of my video, the final cut of my video, and finally an evaluation.

     I am going to start by analysing music videos, especially those that might be a similar style to the video I want to create.