XXL FRONT COVER ANALYSIS 
KERRANG! FRONT COVER ANALYSIS
The title 'Kerrang!' is an onomatopoeic word that has connotations of a guitar sound, which gives the reader an automatic idea of what type of music the magazine specialises in. Also, the cracked nature of the letters gives the impression of something being broken or smashed, which connotes rebellious behaviour, something that will appeal to the target teenage audience. It also suggests something being loud enough to break glass, which represents the loudness of the music covered in the magazine.
The exclamation mark in the title of the magazine shows surprise or shock, showing that it is an alternative to other music publications and doesn't cover the same bands as those magazines.
The colour of the title is also black writing on a white background. This makes it easier to read and the use of quite masculine colours represents the male-dominated music genre that the magazine specialises in.
The main image on the cover obscures the title because it is a well-known publication so even when it is slightly obscured, people will still know what the magazine is. It also suggests the power of the band on the front cover. The eye line of the three band members is at the same level and looking straight at the camera. This is a direct address to the reader and it is drawing the reader in.
The text 'Biffy Clyro' on the cover is used as an anchor for the image. This allows the reader to be aware of who the band are if they didn't already know. There is also a smaller text underneath which goes into a little more detail about what the band are talking about in the article. There is a play on words in the sense they 'Unfold the puzzle of life' which creates an enigma, making the reader wonder what is meant by it so they will read inside. The ellipsis after that enforces this because it suggests there is a lot more to the story. Therefore the reader will be interested even more in reading the article.
The baseline of the magazine is filled with band names. This shows the variety in the magazine and could also pull in readers that may not like the band the main article is focused on if they like enough of the other bands displayed on the cover. The skyline of the magazine shows a free giveaway, something extra and exclusive in the magazine that can't be obtained by buying any other magazine. Both of the cover lines are in capitals, which creates familiarity and consistency for the reader. It also makes it very easy to read.
The image in the bottom right corner is a picture of the lead singer of Paramore, who is a girl, the fact she is on the cover as well as the many other bands shows further the diversity of the magazine, because in a male-dominated genre, there is still an alternative shown on the cover, which fits the magazines ideology of being an alternative magazine.
ROLLING STONE FRONT COVER ANALYSIS
The ‘Rolling Stone’ brand logo masthead is a trademark that is used on every single issue with the same colour and font used. This allows the magazine to look familiar and it also stands out because of its vibrant colour. The main image also does not obscure the title, so all of it is visible to the reader.
The skyline states that it is a 'special issue', which the reader is drawn to because it is at the top of the page, and because a word like 'special' is used, it gives the issue more importance and suggests it is different to other issues, perhaps drawing in readers that don't normally read the publication.
The main image is of Adele, who is a global superstar, and she is looking directly at the camera, making a direct address to the reader, drawing them in.
The main headline of 'Adele - Heartbreak Superstar' anchors the image and is the boldest, clearest title on the page. It indicates that the issue is about Adele which may entice a lot of people to buy the magazine because she is one of the most well-liked pop stars in the world.
The other headlines on the right hand side are in the same font as the main title, possibly because people looking at the magazine on a magazine rack will have to pull the magazine out to see what else is in the issue, which means they will see the entire cover, meaning it is more likely they will buy a copy. It also shows the variety of topics covered in the magazine, not just music.
Underneath these headlines, there are more names of bands to show the variety of music tastes typically covered by Rolling Stone.
The skyline states that it is a 'special issue', which the reader is drawn to because it is at the top of the page, and because a word like 'special' is used, it gives the issue more importance and suggests it is different to other issues, perhaps drawing in readers that don't normally read the publication.
The main image is of Adele, who is a global superstar, and she is looking directly at the camera, making a direct address to the reader, drawing them in.
The main headline of 'Adele - Heartbreak Superstar' anchors the image and is the boldest, clearest title on the page. It indicates that the issue is about Adele which may entice a lot of people to buy the magazine because she is one of the most well-liked pop stars in the world.
The other headlines on the right hand side are in the same font as the main title, possibly because people looking at the magazine on a magazine rack will have to pull the magazine out to see what else is in the issue, which means they will see the entire cover, meaning it is more likely they will buy a copy. It also shows the variety of topics covered in the magazine, not just music.
Underneath these headlines, there are more names of bands to show the variety of music tastes typically covered by Rolling Stone.
ROLLING STONE DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD ANALYSIS
XXL DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD ANALYSIS
