KEY POINTS:
The two previous Lucid3 albums have already proved they're a band of untypical strengths. The strident voice of frontwoman Victoria Girling-Butcher married to the fluid angular rhythm section of Derek Metivier and Marcus Lawson set them apart from being typical indie flakes.
And while there was often a bluesy curl to their sound, they weren't part of the nouveau roots mob either. That approach also meant they've had a hard time reaching a wider audience.
But they have toughened and tightened up on Dawn Planes, their first album with an outside producer (former Muttonbirds guitarist David Long) and a major label. The 11 tracks - though frequently studded with the biggest rock noises the band has yet delivered, whether it's the thumping fuzzpop of Burning on the Sun or the swagger underneath Every Dollar, present every risk of scoring them a hit or three.
It seems while Long was happy to introduce askew touches (there's brass blasting through the sonic tornado at the end of This Soldier and what sounds like a deep and wobbly banjo on All Ready Now), the melodies stick. Some of their old unwieldiness is evident on the likes of Counterfeits and Judases but thrilling dynamics carry great tunes throughout. Their most lucid yet.
Label: Capitol
Verdict: Auckland trio's third album suggests they're ready for take-off
