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The Musical Hype
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  - Album 💿Albums & EPs 💿 of various styles are evaluated in this section of The Musical Hype – we don’t discriminate. Album reviews are also available on the home page. More often than not, the album reviews on the site tend to follow a track-by-track format, commencing with an intro paragraph comprised of background information, and concluding paragraph that wraps things up. Also, GEMS – the best, highly recommended tracks – are selected at the end of each review. Each album also receives a star rating, on a scale of 0 – 5 (½ stars are used as well), that is visible at the beginning and ending of the review. = MASTERPIECE = NEAR MASTERPIECE = EXCELLENT = VERY GOOD = AVERAGE / GOOD = BELOW AVERAGE = MEDIOCRE , , , = BAD
  - Songs 🎵Songs (singles + tracks) of various styles are reviewed in this section of The Musical Hype. Songs are assigned a rating between 0 and 5 stars.
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Michael Jackson vs. Alien Ant Farm: Head 2 Head No. 26 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; MJJ Productions Inc., SKG Music L.L.C.; Israel Torres, KoolShooters, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

Michael Jackson vs. Alien Ant Farm | Head 2 Head

In the 26th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Michael Jackson and Alien Ant Farm contend for the best rendition of “Smooth Criminal.”

By the musical hype, 5 monthsAugust 9, 2025 ago

Alien Ant Farm, Smooth Criminal: Covers No. 22 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; SKG Music L.L.C.; Alan Cordero, Flávia Vicentini from Pexels; AcatXIo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

Alien Ant Farm, Smooth Criminal | COVERS

In the 22nd edition of COVERS (2025), Alien Ant Farm delivers a compelling rendition of “Smooth Criminal,” originally performed by Michael Jackson.

By the musical hype, 5 monthsJuly 16, 2025 ago

Getting to Know…Contortion: Interview No. 432 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Contortion; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]

Getting to Know… Contortion | Interview

In the 432nd Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Southern California metal band, Contortion.

By the musical hype, 1 yearNovember 2, 2024 ago

Getting to Know…Trout Club: Interview No. 404 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Trout Club; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]

Getting to Know… Trout Club | Interview 🎤

In the 404th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Santa Barbara, genre-fluid band, Trout Club.

By the musical hype, 2 yearsMarch 7, 2024 ago

Getting to Know… Follow Me Dark: Interview No. 401 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Follow Me Dark; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]

Getting to Know… Follow Me Dark | Interview 🎤

In the 401st Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from genre-pushing, California alternative rock band, Follow Me Dark.

By the musical hype, 2 yearsFebruary 24, 2024 ago

Getting to Know… White Harbor: Interview No. 312 [📷: Brent Faulkner, Darkmoon_Art, luis2500gx, The Musical Hype, Pixabay, OpenClipart-Vectors, White Harbor]

Getting to Know… White Harbor | Interview 🎤

In the 312th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from San Diego metalcore collective, White Harbor.

By the musical hype, 3 yearsOctober 27, 2022 ago

Arrlo,“Blood Art” [📷: Existing Weather]

Arrlo, Blood Art | Track Review 🎵

Riverside, CA alternative-indie pop/rock band Arrlo drop a captivating, ear catching third career single with “Blood Art.”

By the musical hype, 5 yearsJune 9, 2021 ago

Getting to Know... Arrlo: Interview No. 172 [📷: Arrlo, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype]

Getting to Know… Arrlo | Interview 🎤

For our captivating 172nd interview, we get insight on the intriguing, rising Riverside, CA alternative-indie pop/rock band, Arrlo.

By the musical hype, 5 yearsMarch 5, 2021 ago

Arrlo, "WFTWTE" [📷: Existing Weather]

Arrlo, WFTWTE | Track Review 🎵

Riverside, CA alternative-indie pop/rock band Arrlo shine on their relatable, well-rounded second career single, “WFTWTE.”

By the musical hype, 5 yearsFebruary 16, 2021 ago

Getting to Know... Fox Violet [Photo Credits: Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Fox Violet]

Getting to Know… Fox Violet | Interview 🎤

Celebrating the 50th interview on the Musical Hype, we get the scoop from Los Angeles melodic rock collective, Fox Violet.

By the musical hype, 6 yearsJanuary 24, 2020 ago

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