Arts Bar, Dundee 14-10-04: ISIS + support

ZARA / CATH / MARTIN
When Isis took to the stage tonight, in front of a packed Arts Bar, things had changed. First, there were only three of them. Second, Zara was playing an electric, and not her customary acoustic, guitar. But, the moment the band started into the first song, you knew things had changed for the better!
Welcome to phase 2 of the ascendancy of Isis!!!
The sound was excellent as the band launched into the first number, with the fact that Zara was on electric guitar, adding more strength to the hooks and riffs, without you noticing at any point that anything might be missing from the arrangements. Tonight her voice was in fine form, and the set just went from strength to strength, the band clearly feeling the confidence that this new line-up appeared to provide, and it showed in the sheer energy and enthusiasm with which they delivered song after song.
With the new CD single on sale for the first time, they performed a stirring rendition of the lead track, "Breathe", that really began to bring the audience into the palms of their hands, while "Gotta Let Me Know" and, as the final track, "Coming Around Again", were all delivered with passion and energy. Another thing noticeable in the new line-up is that Martin is the most superb bassist. Tonight he unleashed a series of lead breaks on the bass that were positively breathtaking, and it's so great to hear something so original as this band, where the electric guitar performs a largely rhythm guitar role while the bass takes the odd few lead breaks, all the time ably driven by Cath's solid drumming that swings and drives to perfection.
During the set, a new cover and a new, recently written, (or as Zara put it "only just finished rehearsing this one") original were presented. The cover was a rendition of Tori Amos' "Crucify" and I distinctly thought for a split second "ooo err - not sure if this is going to work", but they did it brilliantly - Zara's turned the lightness into serious angst and even does the chorus to a tee. The new song was another Isis gem that fitted into the set like a glove - and reminds me I really must get a set list from them. You see, the thing about this band is that they have a unique talent - they have songs that are so instant, so addictive and yet the sort of songs that you can hear over and over again without ever getting overly familiar, a mark of the writing talent that Zara has and the arranging that the band turn in so seemingly effortlessly
Apart from the fresh new sound of the band and their clear enjoyment of playing, anotheer thing I noticed on tonight's performance was, albeit, sadly, only briefly, when Cath joined in on second vocal, the combination of her light voice and Zara's vocal strength was quite magical, and I must admit I'd love to see more harmonies going on judging by the evidence of what I heard tonight.
Bak in the seventies, a rock band I got involved with played a 12 week run, once or twice a week, at a The Yeoman in Stafford, and I never once got tired of hearing what was, 80%, the same set. Isis are the same - no matter how many times you see them and hear these songs, you'll never tire of them - and with the band clearly still developing things, going so far from strength to strength, there are still tons of great concerts in waiting. Next time, instead of photos, I'll concentrate on the songs and give more of attention to what they are and how they sound. For now, it's just such a joy seeing and hearing this band play live - long may it continue!!!

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