Isis
Self-titled CD
Reviewed by Nick Everett
"Post feminism don't you wish/ While rape exists that's still a myth.../ Look above my chest look me in the eye/ And join the rap against rape" — Rap Against Rape
Three women make up one of Brisbane's most talented and political bands. Isis have just released their first CD and in recent weeks have been performing all around Brisbane: supporting Tiddas on September 2 at Van Gogh's Earlobe, performing at Green It Up (a benefit for Green Left Weekly) and at the Sitting Duck Cafe, where they launched their CD.
Isis are Lucinda Shaw-Lamont, Toni Lawson and Rowena Pizzey, all of whom contributed to the songwriting and arrangements on the CD. The collection brings together lyrics that speak volumes about sexual politics and melodies that range from Celtic-sounding folk to country sounding blues. Lucinda's brother Wendall Shaw plays guitar on the CD.
"Final Cry", the first song on the album, is a love song with folk harmonies and passionate lyrics. At the same time, its sets the tone of things to come with lyrics that are direct and challenging:
"Be straight with me about matters of blood/ We lie together, but we don't lie to each other."
"Belly Pain" contains captivating lyrics about the experiences of women in a male-dominated society. It's a song about pride, strength and fighting back: "Penis power patriarch/ But you burnt the bridge/ When you burnt Joan of Arc."
"Fear of Falling" and "Treat Yourself Gently" are songs about the trap of self-destruction and despair that can overcome us when we face the fear and prejudice of society. "Treat Yourself Gently" is about learning about ourselves — "Ten per cent of us is all that we know" — and releasing ourselves "from this grieving lament": "How can you lie there in love and in agony .../ Please treat yourself gently."
This caught the emotions of the entire crowd of 800 people squeezed into Van Gogh's to hear Isis supporting Tiddas.
"Au Revoir" is a bluesy number that takes a look at domestic violence in the words: "He beats me so hard so often I don't remember my natural skin colour". And it expresses strength in coping with such situations and a lighter side to overcoming them: "And my lover well you know/ She's just too good to me/ Never going back to him.../ I did what every self-respecting woman should/ I left him."
"Masturbation Song" is the most comic of the songs on the CD. It poses the question of what you say when the folks ask you, "Honey why aren't you married?". Do you say your "'sick, celibate, stupid, frigid, straight or gay?' I said 'I do it by myself, I prefer it that way' ... Daddy had a heart attack and fell down dead, and Mum said, 'Honey, you put an idea in my head'."
The final song, "Rap Against Rape", poses sharp questions about sexual assault in our society. It sends the message clearly that this is a political issue, challenging those who believe we live in a post-feminist world. It does not blame men in general, but focuses on sexist behaviour and the institutions that perpetuate it.
Isis make the point that the home, the church and the doctor's office are not safe places while rape exists. They call on all of us to come "and join the rap against rape".