Research: NME Analysis

NME Double Page Spread Analysis

Headline: The headline of the double page spread for NME states “Don’t mention The Streets”, this is created as a pun because the article is featured on the lead singer Mike Skinner previous band The Streets, therefore the headline suggests that past section of his life is now over and shouldn't be spoken about again. However from a pun point of view, "The Streets" connotes the rough areas of a city for example London. The headline is in large, navy, simple typography so it is easy to read, yet "The Streets"is presented in slightly larger typography to catch the attention of readers because the band used to be very famous and well known. The title is imposed on a white background to emphasise the feature headline, the darker colour typography stands out to an audience.

Sub-headline: The sub-headline is a brief summary of what is upcoming in the text of the double page spread. The typography is in the same colour font as the headline so they both coordinate with one another, however certain names are highlighted in red to show the importance of 'Mike Skinner' throughout the article, the names that are clearly focused on, this gives the audience a clear indication. A rhetorical question "can the man who invented his own genre ever properly push things forward again?", this technique interests and intrigues the reader to find out for themselves in the text.

Text: The text is the key aspect of a double page spread and is commonly represented in the same styled typography as in most other magazines, small and black. It is also usually laid out into two or three columns for a layout which is organised, easy to read and common in every other magazine article. Drop caps are used to indicate to the reader the beginning of where the article is, drop caps are usually in deliberately large letters which coordinate with the headline, a drop cap is basically the very first letter of the first sentence, for example 'T'. The text includes a large amount of quotations from a conversational interview with Mike Skinner, as well as actions Mike Skinner does throughout the meeting, such as, "he gives me a look of sympathy and pity before saying...". This type of interviewing gives a sense of realism to readers, as if they are really there, involved in the interview. There is a pull quote positioned at the bottom of the page, "I always liked suits. And now I move less", these small quotations are in a large font, in quotation marks, separated away from the text. Readers like to read short, simple pull quotes before they begin the article to become intrigued about what else the interview has to offer.

Images: There is only one large image covering a whole A4 page on this particular double page spread. The photo represents the featured artist Mike Skinner with his fingers in his ears to reinforce the headline of the double page, he has also rolled his eyes to one side as if he is looking the other way to the camera and possibly the article on the other page, this body language connotes that he doesn't want to hear what has to be said, "don't mention". This is a mid shot image so the audience can clearly see his facial expression and upper body language. His clothing is the same as the clothes on the front cover, the blazer and gold watch show that he could be a successful business man but the stubbled beard and average appearance connotes normality, like "The Streets".