Lucid 3 follow up their 2002 debut Running Down The Keys it's 2004 follow up All Moments Leading to This with Dawn Planes - their first release with a major label (Capitol/EMI).

As with both their previous two albums, the focus of the music is on singer-songwriter's Victoria Girling-Butcher beautiful voice, underpinned by the talented and rock-steady rhythm section of Derek Metivier and Marcus Lawson. Whereas the band have handled virtually all their own production and engineering duties on their previous releases, this time around they've employed the services of producer-extraordinaire, David Long (ex-Mutton Birds), a man who has produced highly regarded albums for the likes of Dave Dobbyn and Fur Patrol. Long's influence has taken the band's sound down a rockier path - it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to imagine some of the songs on this album appearing on the aforementioned Fur Patrol's album he produced; Pet.
And like that album, there's plenty of variety and good listening on this release. The first single 'Burning on the Sun' is already getting good radio play around New Zealand, and there's plenty more upbeat rock numbers like that on the disc: the stonking beat-driven 'Every Dollar', the swirling and uplifting title track 'Dawn Planes', and the deceptively explosive 'No No'. And, of course, a few good quieter numbers that allow the lovely subtleties of Girling-Butcher's voice to shine through - 'All Ready Now' with it's beautifully constructed vocal harmonies (and a touch of banjo - care of Long), the exquisite keyboard-driven swing of 'Oh Sister', and epic album finale 'Fabric'.

Lucid 3 continue to go from strength to strength with each release. It'll be interesting to see if they can maintain the quality they've achieved with this outstanding release in the future. For now though, they're certainly at the top of their form.