The experimental $E1$ strength distribution below 4 MeV in rare-earth nuclei suggests a local breaking of isospin symmetry. In addition to the octupole states, additional $1^-$ states with enhanced E1 strength have been observed in rare-earth nuclei
by means of ($gamma,gamma$) experiments. By reproducing the experimental results, the spdf interacting boson model calculations provide further evidence for the formation of an $alpha$ cluster in medium-mass nuclei and might provide a new understanding of the origin of low-lying E1 strength.
