This issue of Rock Sound is very different to it's usual look. The colour scheme used yellow, sky blue and hot pink which is very unusual for this magazine as they focus on the rock and alternative genre and these colours are seen as very pop-like and girly. They use the same colours used for Top Of The Pops magazine even though this magazine is usually aimed at older teens who like rock music. This is because the main bad featured on the cover, All Time Low are seen as the more "poppy" side of punk rock music. By using bright, colourful titles and headings they are fitting in with the theme of All Time Low and the pop side of rock. The masthead is bright pink, which is very different to it's usual colour, and it is both in front and behind the sign one of the band members is holding up, giving it a 3D look.
The sign is on cardboard; rather than using an expensive looking sign to reflect the fame of the band, they have used something that looks cheap and simple. This might connote the band's history; they recently dropped the label they were signed to and set out to make their next album independently and unsigned. The lead singer is the most prominent figure, whilst his band members stand behind him; all of them are looking at the camera with enthusiastic facial expressions.
The magazine cover is crowded and filled with article headlines and pictures of bands; by naming a lot of bands they will appeal to more people. The cover is bright and eye catching, ensuring it will stand out next to all the other music magazines on the market.
The magazine comes with 2 free CDs, one being a mix of new singles of the month and one being a new EP by a band that the magazine is promoting. Whereas Top Of The Pops gave away some cheap make up that wasn't exactly great quality and nothing to do with the magazine, Rock Sound are giving away music; which, as I found out with my questionnaire, is very popular with customers.
Inside, the pages feel thick and more expensive than other magazines such as Top Of The Pops or Kerrang!. The contents page features another posed, studio set picture of the main band, All Time Low. There is a lot of pictures and names of bands, as well as an editorial profile with a picture of the editor holding up signs saying "DON'T PANIC..." and "PANIC!!" to reference All Time Low's new album Don't Panic. The main colours used are red, yellow and black, which are a lot less "poppy" and more like Rock Sound's usual theme. The page numbers are split into sections of "The Noise" (main music aritcles), band articles, reviews and "new bands you need to hear". This makes it seem more organised and easy to see exactly what you want. The picture of All Time Low takes up 50% of the page, making it clear that the main article is about them.
The main article starts with a double page picture of the band, All Time Low. The photo is posed but they aren't looking at the camera; they are looking at each other and seem like they are arguing or shouting at each other. The title is "Destination... anywhere but here!" and underneath it says "All Time Low have been through hell and now their destiny is in their own hands. The only question is... is that a good idea?!" The picture is meant to be implying that they're not agreeing with each other or doing a good job.
The lead singer isn't at the front of the picture, but he is in the middle, therefore the one drawing the most attention.
The article has a lot of pictures of the band members, together and individually. As a fan of the band, I was interested by the columns of the more personal pictures of the band on the right and would probably buy this magazine just for this interview. The magazine added funny captions and jokes to the pictures, which is very much like the band members' personalities. The magazine creators are obviously very familiar with the band as they know what they're like, and in the interview they talk about how they interviewed them 18 months ago. The language isn't very formal; it is friendly and comfortable with the band.
The main colours used are sky blue, hot pink and white, similar to the colour scheme on the front page. Everything is very randomly placed at odd angles, rather than laying everything out clearly. As the band is a pop-punk band, their music isn't seen as the classiest, most elegant style, therefore showing why their article is quite random.
The interview is written in a simple font that is easy to read, with some quotes placed in a larger, different font in the middle of the page. These give the gist of the interview and will tell the reader whether or not they will be interested in it.
In conclusion, Rock Sound have created a fun, colourful magazine that, whilst being slightly different to their usual appearance, have stuck with the theme of rock music. It has given me a lot of ideas and tips for making my punk-rock magazine cover.
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