Analysis of Music Magazine Example - LOUD!

Prior to creating our own music magazine. We have chosen to assess previous AS Level music magazines that past students have created. We have reviewed their magazines against the mark schemes in order to inform us how to get achieve a high grade.

The magazine that we assessed was LOUD! Magazine. Prior to delving into this magazines features, I had automatically made the connection between this magazine and the highly famous Kerrang! magazine. The masthead is positioned almost identically to where Kerrang would place theirs. The colour's black and white and the size and shape of the font are also distinct to Kerrang magazine. The front cover of Loud magazine achieved level 4 for every category on the mark scheme. We felt it deserved the highest band because the layout and structure of the magazine was appropriate towards the target audience who's main genre is rock music. In addition, the image quality that was used for the front cover was exceptional. It is clear that this magazine has been produced by someone that really wanted to create the most professional magazine as they could. However, we felt the only thing to improve on this front cover would to consider using better sell lines as we felt this was the only thing that damaged the professional look it overall gave.

Similarly, the contents page of Loud magazine also received level 4 all round. The strong resemblance to Kerrang magazine's layout gave it an authentic feel. This would appeal to readers of Kerrang as it is provides a familiar structure. The image use was magnificent for the contents page, rather than going for a clean cut image they chose to use a very grunge inspired photo which would link to the style of the magazine which is rock. The creator of this magazine has managed to continue the colour scheme throughout this magazine as they have remained with the colours black, white and grey and using hints of red to highlight main points to attract the reader. I specifically liked the editor's note that was included in this magazine. This gives the magazine a personal touch which allows the reader to gain access to who is at the helm of the magazine that they enjoy to read. This is a factor that is shared with Kerrang who the magazine evidently take influence from.

Finally, the double page spread also received a unanimous rating of level 4. The double page spread feautres an interview with their cover star who features prominent throughout which leads up to this page. The register has been appropriately selected to entice the reader into engaging in what the interviewee has to say. The layout has continuously shown a professional standard which has been imitated from other rock magazines alike such as Kerrang.There are minimun images used for this magazine as the main focus was the interview itself. However, of the images that are featured, one of them could have been edited to give a sharper feel to reader.

The images below are the three mark schemes that we have gathered evidence from in order to make our decisions on this magazine example. This task will provide beneficial to myself and others as it has allowed to us know exactly what we need to do in order to achieve a high grade. I have learned that it is imperative to continue my theme of indie/rock music throughout in order for a reader to feel like they are reader the same magazine.