Indie Rock digipak analysis

This is the debut album from the Arctic Monkeys in 2006 and therefore they had to create something of interest to produce a positive name for themselves. The actual album name is 'Whatever people say I am, that exactly what I'm not'. This produces enigma surrounding the band as they are going against the conventions of indie rock sparking interest of the audience. It was important to portray the type of band they are so the audience can know the genre just based on the digipak. To convey indie rock the Arctic Monkeys opted for a monochrome look which gives it a rustic feel. The dark colour scheme demonstrates their style of song and challenges conventions. The fact that the colours are dark suggests that the songs are not about happy endings rather then the typical love story scenario. The man on the front cover represents how the Arctic Monkeys see themselves, as ordinary people just like their audience. This "working class" impression brings the band and the audience closer together and removes any barrier separating the two. This shows that they are genuine people has their success has not changed them as they are sticking to their roots and performing based on their passion not for money. This again creates a rapport between the audience and the band which is essential for an indie band. The man on the front cover is smoking which is typically a convention of indie rock as it demonstrates a "Bad boy" impression. This demonstrates clearly which genre the Arctic Monkeys are. However, the cigarettes could also demonstrate what they think of music the connection between cigarettes and music is that they can be addictive for the audience.

This album was released by a indie rock ban called Green Day in 2004 September 27th. From the front cover we can clearly see a hand holding grenade in the shape of a heart. This suggests that the band are against war and do not wish to become involved with violence. We see blood dripping down the hand which suggests there has been a war. We can decode that the band are against war as the actual album name is called "American Idiot" which reinforces how against Green Day are of war. The style of the images on the front cover are very cartoon-esque in-which we can interpret as the views of the band. That war itself is child-like and immature and so it should be replaced with making love, as represented by the love heart shaped grenade.
On the front over the disk we see a similar hand presumably the same holding a pin of a grenade. This demonstrates that the damage of war has already been done and continues to happen in the world. The fact that the pin is red suggests the bloodshed and horrors war has produced for countless soldiers serving their country. It is not uncommon for indie bands particularly rock to express their political interests which tend to focus on the working class population as this is the main target audience for this genre. By expressing their views, Green Day can influence many people to hopefully change the world for the better as they have a large fan base.
On the back cover of the we see the pin has changed colour from red to white. The colour red suggests violence and anger which is how the band see war, however now the pin is white suggesting purity. This change in colour could be an example of we should be this rather then going to war, killing thousands of people. It is something we as an individual should attempt to be, pure and innocent not violent and blood thirsty.