Day 3 of CMJ begins across the street from work, where Montreal's The Dears are playing forthright, slightly-twanged rock in local opium den Hiro Ballroom. It's a professional setup here: totally tricked out lights, crystal sound tuned to make your ears bleed. (Note to self: Must get earplugs, soon.) The Dears are a big enough name to warrant this kind of setup, but it begs the question: do CMJ acts want to play rooms like this, or smaller, more intimate venues similar to where they're used to playing? Better watch yourselves, CMJers: word is, some pretty major critics are turning up in some of the most humble spaces.