Leaving VA

AMG Review of Leaving VA

Kurt Morris
All Music Guide

The third album from the Pennsylvania based act, Los Halos, finds them building upon previous releases. The sound is a generalized alternative pop sound that ideally could be heard on alternative radio or at least college radio, but for the fact that the majority of their songs would be too long for such a format. Leaving VA's really enduring charms, however, are the lightly used methods of creativity, enough to make a difference but not so many that it looks like they're trying too hard. Whether it's the occasional harmonica, or the Beach Boysesque backing vocals, or lead singer Mr. Samezvous's ability to be stern on some songs and gentle on others, it seems that Los Halos really have a good idea of how to piece things together to make them fit. The outcome is a Yo La Tengo substitute that has a tinge of quirkiness in the flavor. Not a bad place to be, and definitely another good album upon which to build.