Star Image - Arctic Monkeys

It took me a while to decide on my star image as I am not necessarily interested in the typical and obvious icons in the music industry, for example lady Gaga and Cheryl Cole who are clear style icons. I chose the Arctic Monkeys because I am interested in Indie and Rock music and this band has always stuck openly to its image.

Arctic Monkeys currently consist of four members; Alex Turner; Jamie Cook; Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders. This English indie rock band formed in 2002 in a suburb in Sheffield. Their debut album 'Whatever You Say I Am, That's what I'm Not' was released in 2006 and was actually the fastest selling debut album in British music history. The band have released three albums in total the other two being, 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'(2007) and 'Humbug'(2009). The reason for Arctic Monkeys causing such a massive sensation upon their arrival to the music scene was because they were one of the first bands to become noticed due to the internet. Which ultimately changed the way music is promoted today. 

The band have been very likable with their image based on sticking to their roots especially with Alex Turners coming through predominantly when he sings. The band love showing that their down to earth and don't let the fame go to their heads. 

In 2008 the arctic monkeys arrived at the Brits in a sort of shepherds look with flat-caps and tweed. They won the award for Best British Album and came up to accept the award very drunk with pipes in their mouth which epitomises their image. 

Analaysing Album Artwork - The Maccabees - Wall of Arms

As soon as you see this album artwork it is immediately eye-catching. The lead singer of The Maccabees, Orlando Weeks saw an artists work on a front cover of the magazine Art World. The name of this artist was Boo Ritson. She is a very unique and impressive artist, she paint people but not on canvas or a board, she literally coats people in paint. Her pictures are presented as photographs, the portraits in this case a group portrait is a double masquerade. Her subjects are coated in a sticky disguise which reveals the wet skin look. This look creates a statuesque effect and a plastic toy look.


So the band had to all be painted by Boo after discussing costume and composition the lead singer made a blog on the whole experience. As for the aesthetics of the album cover i think the look is exceptionally effective, an original piece of album artwork has been created successfully. The plain white banner with the Bands name and title of the album is clear to read and cohesively fits into the theme of the whole cover. 

The Impact of The Internet on The Music Industry

The internet has had a gargantuan effect on the music industry, ultimately changing so many aspects of how its runs, works and actually distributes records. This change was never really predicted or adapted to quick enough. The whole concept effects record companies the most, they are the people who are worried especially the ones that appeal more to the younger markets, like those with rock bands. Nobody can even predict what the situation will be like even in five years time. 


Record labels and their associations like the RIAA and BPI blamed the internet for basically beginning the destruction of the industry. It began with illegal peer to peer file sharing networks where people downloaded their music for free. Different  organisations began to pursue excessive downloaders and prosecute them with large fines. There was false hope when they believed discouraging would halt the decline and reversal of record labels fortunes. The sales of CD's have decreased each year. 


However an ultimatum came along which revived hope, with the rapid increase of the popularity of the MP3 and personal music players like the ipod, legal downloads have become more popular being led by Apple through their global online music store itunes, although there is other competition. None the less illegal downloads have decreased due to this. 


Although this is all positive CD sales are still declining particularly within the rock music genre which once was the most successful selling genre. Legal music downloads are helping record labels the traditional models are still in decline. People no longer just buy albums they are more enticed to buy the separate songs alone which is another factor thats  changing the industry and affecting the record labels. I believe some sort of system will sort the situation out sooner or later but for now its not working that well.