Hollywood Gossip

Hollywood Gossip

The opening track from local quartet Hollywood Gossip's debut LP grabs you immediately: the combination of singer/guitarist Tyler Womack's cadenced chant ("sleepwalkin' walkin'") and the song's Smiths-esque trot get in your head like good pop hooks should. In that way, Dear as Diamonds works as a summer album, one you can drink in and sweat out. Its tones are bright and soft on "Turn It Up" and "Summer Haze," while Womack's restless lyrics never feel too poor-me; there's a unique introspection and Austin-centricity to the songs. The midsection loses some of its pop confection, "I Want It All" and "Worst Day" out of breath after walking up the hill. Toward the top, though, standout "Death of the House Party" gathers steam and rolls with abandon, unwinding like a short film and taking some light jabs at the scene. It's a promising debut for any season, really.