Analysing a CD Advert

This advert poster was found at music store HMV for the Kings of Leon album: Come around Sundown. As seen earlier in the blog, Kings of Leon are often noticed as a modern day Pink Floyd. This is a very conventional album advertisement, with the band name at the top of the page, and the name of the album with its release date are at the bottom of the page. These are both expected pieces of text which are needed on any advert in order to make it informative and useful. Another small feature is the tiny HMV sign in the bottom left hand corner of the page, this is important because it informs the reader where they can get the album, covering all the criteria of things needed within an album advert. Next to this is the Kings of Leon website. Including this is important as it gives authenticity to the advert, and another place where the album can be bought.

The only other feature to talk about in this advert is the image used for the background on this advertisement. In this case, sunset colours are used with a palm tree to create the image of a mellow and bright place, certainly positive and this is a good selling point for the advert. The complexions of the colours go well with each other, the shadow at the bottom of the page suggests a sunset and this shows a definite link to the album name. The way the palm tree comes down from the top of the page and creates a shadow creates a dark to light to dark colour theme and this will be important when making our own advert. A grainy effect has been added to the colours to give it a faded feel, this is an interesting effect as it suggests the fading of the day into night, or in other words the fading of the sun.

It is important to have a parallel link between the images used and the title of the album. This makes the advert clearer and more conventional, giving it more selling power through the eyes of the advert.

Billy Greenall.