Textual Analysis of "Uncut" Magazine

(Click left image for flickr analysis)

Content Codes

The colour scheme of this particular issue is comprised mainly of various shades of red, gold and white. The mixture of light and deep reds in the background make a curtain, combined with the gold it connotes royalty and success. This is a reference to "The 150 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century" promise featured on the cover; highlighting the aforementioned idea of royalty and success. The model featured on the cover is Jack White, singer and guitarist of "The White Stripes" and various other musical projects. He is a white male and is dressed in his signature style of plain block colours. The leather jacket connotes his rockstar image, in addition, the the clothing match his hair colour and contast powerfully with the background. He has a fairly fierce subjective gaze, this connotes that he is a serious and has a "rockstar edge". The subjective gaze is also particularly useful to catch the attention of the audience. There are dominant vertical patterns shown
primarily in the background of the image. The various shades of red fade horizontally in order to create the vertical curtain effect. This is somewhat accompanied by edges of the cd case featured on the front of the magazine. Leading on from this, is the centre frame, which is initially the cd case. Featuring a highly contrasting gold coloured "150" that draws the eye immediately. From this, the eye is then drawn up and down the model of Jack White, simultaneously with the text written at each side of him. The text on either side of White fits around him, almost around the contours of his outline.

Technical Code

White is photographed with a medium eye level shot, this gives a fairly representative image of him as a person which is linked closely to the "Jack White Exclusive Interview". It connotes the idea you are viewing him as a "normal" person, like a conversation between you and White. This a connotation that you are interviewing him. There is a deep depth of field, which leaves everything in focus, this reverts back to the idea of seeing White as a person you are talking to. The cover is in smooth colour that is full of contrasting and harmonising shades and tones. The lighting is fairly high key but is used mainly to highlight White in the foreground, the use of a normal focus adds to the previously mentioned idea of realism; seeing Jack White as he actually is. In addition, the lighting has left little or no shadow, apart from that used in the title, this is used merely to highlight the title: "Uncut". The typography used on the cover is very useful, all the text is theme as either white or gold. This adds harmony to the cover, where the font colours match perfectly with the theme. The text has a mixture of serif and sans serif fonts, although there is a strong feel of serif fonts, this connotes that the issue is royal and celebrates "The 150 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century".

Language Codes

The language is mostly short statements of what is featured inside the magazine, so there is little left for analysis. Saying that, the words shown on the cover create a very positive image with words like "greatest" being used and complimentary annotatios such as "man of the decade". The use of the words "special issue" featured at the top of the cover connote the speciality/royal feel, it even makes the magazine feel prestigious.

I think the producer has tried to represent an image of success and prestige in the musical business, but with edge of a rockstar. The use of the red curtain and golden writing imply the "special" and royal feeling, while Jack White's stern facial expression, stance and clothing contrast this. It seems fairly rebellious, as if he is breaking out of the norms of royalty and seems fairly alternative at the same, with the various musical features shown all over the page.