"The Next Big Thing"
Leagues O'Toole	2001

Time to get a little bit country as Leagues O'Toole gets close to Dot Creek. We can remember them first shambling onstage in the now deceased Funnel venue some three and a half years ago. They were probably supporting Jubilee Allstars and the gig was most probably rife with the murmur of bar chat from the regular scenesters. But we can also remember being stopped in our tracks when they first chimed into action. When the jangles and the harmonies slid into accord there was a moment when it struck us that Dot Creek smelt good. Now after a couple more years of some sweet smelling seven inches, plenty more live dates and a whole heap of disorganisation, Dot Creek bring us their debut album, "Ill Seen, Ill Said" on Independent Records (home of The Handsome Family, The Pernice Brothers and Jubilee Allstars). "Ill Seen, Ill Said" ­ although recorded in just three days in an "old" studio in Dublin with Decal chap Alan O'Boyle ­ reminds us of everything we liked about them before, and a whole lot more. Blessed with harmony, glistening country resonance and spun dizzy with hypnotic Americana mantras, "Ill Seen, Ill Said" is all about melancholy, memories, places, dances, stories, girls, anything worth singing your heart out for. You may have heard glimpses already, although neither "Dragged Up" or "Down With Woe" from their debut seven inch on Julius Geezer (the house that Joan of Arse live in) are here. But you will find the smashing singalong jaunt sung by an angel (Shane Redmond, or is it Nigel Power?) that is "Cast" and was previously released on a Roadrelish label seven inch singles club split release with Jubilee Allstars. You'll also hear "Trailer", a drop-dead live favourite and feature of many a swopped tape compilation over the last year or so. You'll touches of Gram parsons, maybe hints of Will Oldham and hues of early REM, but more importantly you'll hear exactly why Dot Creek are one of the finest new Irish rocks bands of recent times. "Ill Seen, Ill Said" is out now on Independent Records. Dot Creek play Whelans, Dublin, on April 7th.