ANALYSIS OF ROCK GENRE

Genre

DEFINITION Rock music is a genre of popular music that originated as "rock and roll" in the United States in the 1950s, and developed into a range of different styles. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_music)

Rock

The band: -Stereotypically with rock bands they are known for actually playing their own music and instruments which differs from other music video genres where they just sing. -Because of the band playing the music themselves a lot of the videos are performance based.

Music:-The music in rock music videos is typically very loud and aggressive, whilst also sounding ‘dark’ and sometimes making the audience ‘uneasy’.

Settings: -The typical settings for a rock music video are locations which create a dark atmosphere to reflect the dark meanings in the song. -Typical locations used are things such as;~Abandoned houses/locations~Cityscapes ~Rooftops and carparks ~On stage-All the locations have this ‘grunge’ feeling and make the audience see a dark and unsettling atmosphere.

Clothing:-There are many stereotypes in the clothing that is worn in rock music videos, and some of which are listed below; ~Skinny jeans (both ripped and un-ripped) ~Shirts (wrapped around waist) ~Flannels~Long Un kept hair ~Leather Jackets ~Biker Boots~Converse style shoes ~White tops

Reputation and appearance: -Guitars are a main feature of a rock music video and are often focused upon lots within the video. -Bad boys are usually the main artist or actor in the videos and they focus on drugs, sex and alcohol. -Although the content of rock songs is typically drugs, sex and alcohol, there are also other elements to a rock song such as a love ballad and rage against authority.

QUEEN- WE WILL ROCK YOU As the video for We Will Rock You is a rock music video the importance of instruments is high, and so from the very beginning emphasises is made on the band and on the instruments that they are playing. Close ups are used of the guitar to emphasise the fact that this instrument is being played and to support the stereotype of the rock genre. The appearance of the band within this video is typically what you would expect a rock band to

look like. They have the long un kept hair which suggests that the rock look. Moreover, they are wearing leather jackets which further abides by the rock appearance stereotypes. Dressing in the stereotypical way emphasises that this is a rock video and establishes the genre of the music video for the audience. The location is in the forest

somewhere, which doesn’t suggest a happy location which is supported by the bleak and negative surroundings which reflects upon the ‘dark’ atmosphere that a rock music video is meant to reflect upon. Furthermore, as it is outside it instantly gains this ‘cold’ response which reflects the coldness of a rock video.

Establishing and master shots are frequently used to show the band off and to heighten their band image and reputation.

MEAT LOAF- BAT OUT OF HELL

Within the first establishing shot of the music video it reveals a dark location which is stereotypical of a rock genre music video. It highlights graves which are symbolic of death and dark happenings, this therefore using the location symbolically to represent the ‘darkness’ in a rock music video. Furthermore, the artist emphasis is also used within this music video. It shows Meat Loaf performing and has a close up of the male singer performing, and then also has further close ups on instruments being played. These close ups and mid-shots allow the audience to see the instruments being played and Meat Loaf performing. This is a stereotype of a rock video and the performance style that they take to the approach of a music video. The colours of Bat out of Hell are very dark and symbolic of a

dark atmosphere. The clothing in the video worn by the male is a typical white shirt, which is highly associated with a rock video. The editing of the video cuts between the performance from Meat Loaf and the storyline of the video based outside with actors. This is a typical structure of a rock video and highlights that the band is a band and their lyrics relate to life.

ELVIS PRESLEY- JAILHOUSE ROCK

Elvis’ video for Jailhouse Rock shows a different style of rock video. Although, it does stick to the same structure as other videos which is the whole concept of a performance video. Elvis is seen singing and dancing through the use of mid-shots, long-shots, close up shots and master shots. These all highlight Elvis performing which emphasises how it is a rock music video. Furthermore, the black and white edited colour that is on the video highlights how rock is seen to be as a ‘dark’ genre and not a ‘colourful’ genre such as the pop genre. Like mentioned previously, instruments are very important within a rock genre music video, and instruments are seen being played by other young male actors- to appeal to the female audience. The clothing that Elvis is wearing is a leather jacket and a typical jail striped top to emphasise the lyrics of the song. Overall, his appearance, as seen in the close up shot, is very well groomed which is different from the un kept hair stereotype of rock artists. However, the fact he is ‘in jail’ emphasises his bad boy image.