Textual Analysis of Music Video - The Strokes

The Strokes - Reptillia

Textual Analysis of Music Video - The Fratellis

The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger

Textual Analysis of Music Video - Bloc Party

Bloc Party - Banquet

Textual Analysis of Music Video - Jamie T

Jamie T - Sticks and Stones



The opening shot is a medium shot of a clown and a teenaged male. This immediately sets up the engima code as the audience will be wondering what significance the clown has in the video. There is also a burst of smoke which again adds to the enigma and has connotations of mystery.

Textual Analysis of Music Video - The Last Shaddow Puppets

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement

The music video opens with a long shot of an ice rink. This is an establishing shot which sets up the beginning setting of the video and creates an enigma as the audience would want to find out what’s going to happen next and how this connects to the music. In terms of Todrovs Narative Theory, this establishing shot also sets up the equilibrium of the story within the video. This then cuts to a medium shot of a girl putting on her ice skates. At this point, some tense build up of sound begins and the scene quickly cuts to a medium close-up of the girl and again straight cuts to a close-up of her face showing a slightly scared or worried facial expression. This then cuts to her beginning to ice-skate and then the song starts. She skates to the pace of the music which has quite a strong rhythm. The cuts in the video also correspond to the beat of the song as the shots cut on the beat. This helps to build tension and adds to the enigma created by the opening shot. Setting up the enigma code early also draws the audience into the text and makes them want to watch on. This shot could also symbolise the disruption in the narative as the music because somewhat more rhythmic and pacey.
This then cuts to another long establishing shot of two men standing by army tanks. There is also a zoom camera movement which moves steadily in with the beat of the music. This then cuts to a medium shot of the two lead singers. They are framed in the centre of the frame connoting their importance and status. Also, their costume is stereotypical of the “indie” style as they are wearing long trench coats. This helps to anchor the genre of the music and sets up the two characters as iconic figures to the audience. Through the use of iconography and other elements of mise en scene, the band members are immediately anchored in the indie genre which allows the audience to identify straight away with the music and the band members. Again, the shot cuts on the beat of the music to a medium close-up of the two characters walking. The tanks are still in the background and these props may be used to connote the importance and strength of the band. Also, the setting is a desolate place with snow, perhaps connoting the isolation and loneliness of the characters.
The lighting used is also quite dark and has a sepia tint which suggests connotations of age. This is also shown by the props in the video such as the tanks as they are old and look like they have some from the 1970’s. This is quite stereotypical of indie videos also as they draw their musical influence from bands from older generations so this video is a mirror of the type of music they produce. This idea of age and old-fashioned settings is further shown by a medium shot of men in old-fashioned army uniforms.
It then cuts to another setting with the band members driving through a Russian city with bright lights. This creates a contrast to the previous empty setting. There is also a further low angle of looking up at the two characters. This anchors their importance in the video and this is further shown by the fact that they are in the centre of the framing. The shot then cuts back to a medium long shot of the two characters back at the scene with the tanks. They dominate the frame in this shot which shows their importance and power even over the powerful equipment behind them.
The setting then changes again to a church. This is also a contrast to the setting with the tanks as it creates a binary opposite with religion and war. This is also ironic to the genre as indie music and bands are known to be anti-establishment so would be against both religion and anything to do with authority.
The characters facial expressions throughout are all serious which could also further connote that the band are serious about their music, or could connote the serious issues in the song. The facial expression is also anchored by the music as it too is quite serious.
As the pace of the music quickens towards the end, as do the cuts from shot to shot. This is to connect to the music and create a pace which the eye and the ears can follow. Towards the end, it cuts back to the girl iceskating. Her movement in the scene fits the pace and beat of the music and she stops as the beat slows. The last shot is a high angle long shot of the russian army men. This shot could connote how the band look down on authority and see themselves as "above the law" as they are looking down on authority figures. This final shot could also be showing the new equilibrium.

Textual Analysis of Album Cover - The Arctic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys album cover;
Humbug
Released in 2009

This album cover shows all the band members similarly to the maccabee's cover and the Jamie T cover which connotes their importance and makes them iconic figures. Furthermore, similarly to the Maccabees cover, none of the band-mates are looking at the camera. This creates an enigma and connotes mystery around the band. The lighting used in this cover is also quite dark and sepia which further anchors this idea of mystery. Also, the sepia tint to the colouring has connotations of age which could indicate that they have musical influences from older rock and indie bands such as the stone roses. Their costume is also very iconic of the "indie" fashion as one of the band mates is in a denim jacket with long hair connoting quite a 'grungy' style which is typically linked to this genre of music. The costume would also appeal to a youthful target demographic such as teen's and young adults which I have also found is quite typical of the indie genre. The bandmates are all young which further appeals to the target audience as it sets the band up as role-models who influence their audience with not only their music, but also their style and attitudes. Also, none of the members particularly dominate the frame which connotes that they are all on an equal level. The facial expressions of the band members is serious which additionally anchors the mysterious atmostphere. The title is just of centre in the frame and is on the white background of a band-members hoody. This therefore makes the band name stand out but also gives the album cover a unique and different feel which could suggest that this is what their music is like and portrays the band as being very unique.

Textual Analysis of Album Cover - Jamie T

Jamie T album cover;
Panic Prevention.
Released in 2007

Similarly to the Maccabees cover, this cover includes the artist connoting his importance and connection to his music. This connection to the music is further anchored by the props of various instruments placed in the room. This reinforces the importance of the music and helps to engage the audience. Props such as vinyl records also show that this music may be influenced by bands from the past and older generations which could therefore widen the target demographic of the artist. The setting is also quite messy and resembles a teenager’s bedroom which could connect to the target audience of this artist being teens and young adults. The state of the room could also suggest that the artist is of a laid-back nature. This is similar to the other band covers I have looked at. Furthermore, the artist is not framed in the centre of the scene which could show that he thinks his music is more important than himself. The title of the artist and album is at the top similar to the Maccabees album cover. This connotes the importance and, as it is written in capital letters, it could connote the bold personality of the artist. The title also stands out as it repeats the album name therefore making it more recognisable for the customer. The lighting used in this cover is quite dark, also connoting a sense of mystery and enigma around the album. This would therefore make the customer more likely to buy the album to discover what type of music the album holds. The repitition of the title could also connect to the title name itself as the repeating of the words connects to the word "panic". This could also be mirrored in the state of the room.

Textual Analysis of Album Cover - The Fratellis

The Fratellis album cover;
Here we stand.
Released in 2008

Similarly to The Courteeners, this album cover also does not feature the band members on it. However, this album cover features a carnival leader which could connote that this band or perhaps this album is about having fun and enjoying themselves. This is anchored by his costume as it sets him up as someone that leads the carnival. The fact that he is centre of the frame also shows that he is a dominant character and this may connect to the bands persona. He is also wearing sunglasses which add mystery and enigma as you cannot see his eyes. The setting of a carnival tent also anchors this idea of fun and excitement and therefore indicates that the music on the album is also exciting. The lighting is natural lighting which additionally connotes that the music is fresh and could connote that the lyrics have real meaning and aren’t artificial. The title is in white which connotes purity and stands out on the picture background. It is also bond which has connotations of the band being bold and important. This importance is also anchored by the title being in the centre of the frame which connotes that this band is bold, important and commands attention. The album name also could connect to the man as it is “here we stand” and he is standing alone. However, his gesture is very strong and bond indicating that he is not afraid to be himself which could suggest that the band also have this mentality. Furthermore, the fratellis translated means ‘the brothers’ which connotes the closeness of the band-mates and could help appeal to the target audience as it gives the band ‘role model status’ to their target demographic. As the setting is a carnival, this may also indicate that the band’s target demographic is more focused at a youthful audience of teens and young adults. This is similar to the Maccabees cover.

Textual Analysis of Album Cover - The Courteeners

The Courteeners Album cover;
St Jude
Released in 2008

This album cover is different to the Maccabees album cover as it doesn’t include any of the band members. However, it uses an iconic image of a woman wearing red lipstick which would immediately draw the eye of the audience as it is bold and stands out. The simplistic design also connotes that the band are genuine and could also connote that they are quite modern and different from other bands working in the same genre. The use of the colour red in the woman’s lipstick connotes passion and could relate to the passion the band have for their music. The use of black also connotes mystery and creates an enigma code around the band and their music making the target audience want to buy and listen to the music. This idea of mystery is also anchored by only half of the woman’s face being shown which further anchors the enigma. The title is simplistic and bold similar to the Maccabees cover which could connote the boldness of the band and the font used is also quite plain and classic which could also connote that the band is classic and original. In addition, the use of a white background has connotations of purity and cleanness which challenges the dominate ideologies that indie band’s are quite grungy and dirty.
The album art was painted by band member Liam Fray of Audrey Hepburn which also adds to the iconography of the band. The use of Audrey Hepburn could also further anchor the connotations of innocence and purity indicated by the use of a white background.

Textual Analysis of Album Cover - The Maccabees

The Maccabees Album Cover;
Wall of Arms
Released in 2009.

When analysing the mise en scene we first notice that all the band members are in the framing equally connoting that they are of equal importance. Their costume’s are also all different which suggests that the members of the band are all different and diverse which could indicate that this applies also to their target demographic as they appeal to a wide variety of different individuals. However, they are all wearing sunglasses which connotes that they are all connected and have common ground in some way. The fact that they are all wearing sunglasses connotes mystery to the audience too as they cannot see the band members eyes creating enigma and a sense of mystery around the band. The facial expression’s of the band member’s also further anchors this idea of mystery as they are very serious. The use of colour within the costume is also important as they are bright primary colours which grab the attention of the audience which would be particularly useful in music stores as it would immediately grab the customer’s attention and make them more likely to look at and maybe by the album. The use of this costume and colour also allows the band to look iconic and become easily recognised by the audience. The costume colour also has connotations of quite a young, youthful band which influences the target audience as they may see the band as “role models”. The fact that the band members are young also would have an affect on the target demographic of the band, therefore targeting a younger audience of teenagers and young adults. The text used is clear and bold perhaps connoting that the band are quite bold. It is also in capitals which anchors this importance and boldness of the band. The overall look of the album cover is also quite modern too as they use bold colours on a white background and a clean bold title. This could connote that the band is very modern, up-to-date and are bringing something new to the ‘indie’ genre. The title of the album also has little connection to the album cover which anchors this idea of mystery and enigma in the band and entices the audience to listen to their music as it gives no clue to what the music is about. On the other hand, the title “wall of arms” could connote the band’s closeness as a group as it has connotations of a good relationship between its members.

Group and Genre

First of all, we decided on the groups we would separate into. Our group is; Laura Devine, Ollie Shellard, Sophie Dockerty and I. We then decided on what genre we would research and eventually make our music film promo in keeping with the codes and conventions of this genre.

We chose Indie.

We then mindmapped the typical things associated with this genre (as seen below);