in the midst of a whirlwind trip to montreal; will have to make this quick.

Gareth Auden-Hole - "Angelina". A beautiful song from this Ottawa-Toronto songwriter, who has yet to release his first record. He sings like a lugubrious Danny Michel; his jaunty guitar plays wonderfully against the slow sighing pulse of the song. Guitars crack and stream, like too many sunbeams through a window. I love the happysad of the song, the way two futures coexist - 'It's over this time.' and 'Does it have to be?"

The Avett Brothers - "At the Beach". A melody too catchy for its own good, an energy to carefree-frantic for a holiday. Loose and jumbly guitars, whistle solos, a punk-pop enthusiasm mixed into a barrel of bluegrass. Like that White Hassle song, only more dirt roads in place of pavement. "We're dancin' / dancin' / dancin' with no music." Clem Snide having fun, Okkervil River after a handful of funnypills. [Thank-you, Brad!]

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The Arcade Fire's Funeral scores a 9.7 from Pitchfork. This is good news. Unfortunately, Dan and Monica's internet seems unable to resolve the pitchforkmedia.com URL, and I have yet to see the review.