NM: Deconstructing an Album Cover

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not

 

 

Barthes - Semiotics

• The front of this album is very powerful. Firstly the facial expression of the character which could be perceived as angry. A key aspect of the photo is the mans eyes, they are squinted and not showing any 'whites of his eyes' this could symbolise a wall of defence, for example the character is perhaps angry and secluded so keeps his defence up and remains distant with people looking in. This creates an enigmatic code to the photograph as it leaves the audience wanting to know more.
• Another key aspect of the album cover is the cigarette. Cigarettes are frowned upon in society and it is seen to be an antisocial and yobbish act. The cigarette could connote the lack of care that the character shows. This makes link with the album title as the album name is almost defiance of the public perception.
• There are a number of signifiers that all add meaning to create a signified of depression and sadness. The cigarette along with the facial expressions as well as colour grading of black and white are all signifiers. This shows how there is a paradigmatic relationship.

Dyer - Stars

• Despite the album being a portrait of a man he is not part of the band and so does not represent a star. however in terms of how dyer would have broken down this album cover, the character would be considered both present and absent which is taken from paradox 1.
• The way in which he is present is obviously because he is seen in the album and has a physical presents on the artwork.
• However he could be considered absent in a mental way. The expression in his face and lack of passion shows that he is lost and broken.
• Furthermore we can apply Dyers paradox 2 to this is album artwork which the representation of a star being both extraordinary yet ordinary. The album could be extraordinary in the sense that the actual band are not shown to us and so they our represented as a force above us that has power.
• However there is a sense about the album and the band that makes them seem reachable and as if they aren't so extraordinary after all. Arctic Monkeys were originally a small band from Sheffield who have come up through their own advertising. The bands back ground makes them seem real to us.