Analysis of Band Websites

http://muse.mu/

The main page of the Muse website is what I would describe as busy compared to that of The Kooks or The Killers. It, similarly to The Kooks take an advertising role. This is made obvious via the emphasis on the fact that T Shirts are not back in stock for the Origin of Symmetry album. The front page is busy and I can see that it has been designed to look like this via the use of image. Image has been used to advertise T shirts but also to try to get people to vote in a UK tours competition whilst at the same time advertising where to watch Muse. The only image of the band looking like the band is that used for the background and I would say that this makes the website look cluttered. From the websites I have looked at I would say that a spaced out, non busy website is the most effective. They are easy to navigate and do not overload images or information. I would say that this Muse website does overload a little, something I would not advocate.

The use of colour is important and is typical Muse. They have used colour that represents them and their chosen genre well, whilst having the relevant colours for the relevant advertisements. For example the Origin of Symmetry T shirts are advertised by an orange banner, this is the colour of the original album cover. The background image gives a purple/blue feel to the website which helps engage the audience in a negative, Muse way which mirrors their negative but powerful music. Form this it is clear that it is important to use colour in a way that promote the genre and compliments the type of music the band play.

The layout of the website is interesting. Whilst it looks busy, the information is sectioned of in individual boxes. This does go some way to aid the audience of the website in reading the information that it provides.   The website is consistent in that the layout remains the same tacos al pages. This is something that I feel is effective. Consistency has been present across all other band websites and therefore I can see that it is important.

The typography, similarly to both The Kooks and The Killers remains the same throughout the website and there are only two fonts. For example, the font used for the Muse title and the font used for other general information. The font use for the general information is easy to read, this I feel is important. It retains links to the genre by being dark and a little powerful whilst ensuring it is not hard to read.

Overall I think the website is a little cluttered but is still effective in promoting the band and releasing information. Something, I feel, a band website should always ensure it does.