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So anyhow, while Stone Ocean et al continue to dredge up that which has already been dredged up (and more effectively) by the Frames, headliners Alphastates fly "light years ahead of their peers", according to recent reviews of debut album "Made From Sand". And from the opening number "Addicted", I'm addicted. Residing somewhere between urbane electronica and buoyant indie-pop, the Alphastates sound is rich with the heavenly noises coming from the telecaster of Gerry Horan, while cemented by the rhythmic backbone of bassist Stevie Kavanagh and drummer Mick O'Dowd. The luminous vocal talent of lead singer Catherine Dowling breathes icily over fluid, cool backing tracks, echoing the funkier moments of the Cocteau Twins.

Dowling oscillates wildly, vocally and physically, dressed from head to toe in blue. Her voice and presence possess the oddball edge that finds Gemma Hayes and Nina Hynes lacking. During .Kiss Me., her croaksome jazz-voicings are an icy rasp of oozing sophistication, yet loaded still with all the understated erotic agony we recall in Beth Gibbons. Indeed, a Portishead-like suspense haunts Dowling's hushed intimacies during the set, which is in fitting contrast to Horan's expansive My Bloody Valentine fortissimos. This line-up of Alphastates has only existed for less than a year, yet the entire band's connection - rhythmic, musical and personal - is obvious even in this limited, ill-equipped venue (I highly recommend their next Dublin gig at Crawdaddy on November 25th). Happily brimming with talent and seemingly oblivious to their comparatively mundane surroundings, all four are refreshingly unselfconscious onstage and clearly revel in a gig opportunity. This flexibility allows for a rendition of Kraftwerk's "The Model" to work swimmingly with the Alphastates style, despite the relatively obscure choice.

Perhaps if we put Stellastarr in the fridge for a couple of hours, or gave the Cardigans a soul, we would end up with Alphastates. But then again, to reduce this band's sound to a merely digestible indie-pop stereotype is to cheapen and gravely underestimate one of the most potent undercurrents in the country's alternative music scene. This music is stylishly etherealised without sounding removed, and at no point alienates the listener. I look around and their audience are transfixed. Tonight, the Buttery was plucked from the armpit of stale indie bedwet and propelled skywards toward the lofty creative peaks of a band who I am convinced are poised to record something truly special.

Across the Line

Dublin's Alphastates are up next. We've always had a soft spot for Catherine Dowling and Co.'s electro-pop songs. "Made From Sand" is probably one of the most ambitious records to come out of Ireland in a while and here in the Limelight they sound absolutely huge. Although it looks like Alphastates singer Catherine stole one of Huggy Bear's hats before he went on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, the band seem comfortable onstage-fashion faux pas aside. "Good Stuff" is a salacious nugget of pop wizardry, "Addicted" is a pulsing, s*xual song that manages to combine beats and guitars without sounding like Republica (remember them?) and "Gypsy" proves the band doesn't have to rely on samplers to sound good. All in all, Alphastates managed to turn in one of the best belFEST performances in recent memory.

Kilkenny People / Pius Meagher

If you missed out on Alphastate’s blistering gig in the Annaconda last Saturday night you have my deepest sympathies. Led by Catherine Dowling, an extraordinary vocal talent, the band make the most ethereal-sounding, spirit-melting music this side of the Cocteau Twins.

Promoting their excellent debut album, Made From Sand, the group thundered through all of its choicest cuts including Top of the World, Last Day of Summer, Kiss Me, the single, Sometimes, and the fantastic album opener, Round Here. Dowling swirls from side to side as if calling on invisible entities to massage her as her majestic voice soars over the drum tracks, keys and the discordant guitar theatrics of Gerry Horan who, at times, resembles Radiohead’s Johnny Greenwood - except with a slightly better haircut.

Those who were there to see the band made sure to stand their ground at the end of the bar; though many of those there just for a casual Saturday night drink were drawn towards the magic in front of them and probably converted. A smashing cover of Kraftwerk’s The Model sounded strangely in place amongst the bands own electro flirtations. I’m sure there were those that were sceptical at first, probably expecting yet another twee, cutesy-cutesy girl-led group making offensively summery sounds, but on hearing the dark, layered poetics of Dowling’s lyrics, they were left standing.

Alphastates are a very special thing indeed, buy the album, go see them and, for pity’s sake, don’t let them swan off to obscurity like so many other great bands of the past. In country a where the likes of Dido and The Frames can headline outdoor concerts, this band will manage to reassure you that there’s still urgency, passion, and art left in music.

Belfast Telegraph / Live

You know it's gonna be a great gig when the hairs are standing up on the back of your neck and the band hasn't even started playing. This is only the second time that Dublin band Alphastates (formerly Babelfish) has played in Belfast. It's a shame because, for my money, Alphastates is probably one of the most innovative and creative bands in the country. Singer Catherine Dowling has a voice like melted chocolate, perfect for their first single Sometimes, which is beautiful in its simplicity. Then they play Addicted. It's a sleazy and sinister song that fuses drum loops and samples with traditional song- writing values - it sounds absolutely stunning. As the rest of the band gaze at their shoes, the frontwoman looks like a total star, belting out one great song after another. They even throw in a cover of Kraftwerk's The Model for good measure. Catherine tells the crowd that Alphastates' first album is released in February next year. It could be the record of the year.

Hot Press / Live

The succession of young Irish bands opening up proceedings across the board may not be facing such a torrid time as last year, yet they are still battling to keep the attention of the masses. Alphastates’ atmospheric stylings should suffer more than most, but they manage to pull off a small triumph. Catherine Dowling’s vocals still remain their most unique selling point, but they refuse to let themselves become dwarfed by the expanse of the space and even manage a stab at dry-ice-assisted dramatics.

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