Lexington band the Ideal Free Distribution just released their debut album on Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records, and I couldn’t be happy happier. Check ‘em out if you’re a fan of the Zombies, Syd Barrett or The Beach Boys (which I know you are).

MP3: Ideal Free Distribution - Apples and Oranges
In order to properly explain the level of quality that the Ideal Free Distribution have risen to with their new self-titled album, I have to tell you about a wonderful phenomenon. Literally every time I’ve played the record at CD Central, someone – though sometimes two or three someones – approaches the desk with a stack of classic pop albums clutched to their breast, and asks with great interest who is it that delights their ears so. It’s then that I get to tell them that it’s no Zombies, Byrds, Barrett or otherwise; it’s a contemporary band, and one with which they probably share a postman.

It’s the Ideal Free Distribution.

Birthed over the past few years by principle songwriters Craig Morris, Tony Miller and Eric Griffy (among a host of other players), the Ideal Free Distribution are a music fan’s band. They’re retrospective without being derivative, and are able to recall heroes of the 60s and 70s without aping them. The album-opening “Apples and Oranges” could very well have been the fruit of The Zombies, just as easily as that of the IFD.

Ideal Free Distribution on Mypace
Order Ideal Free Distribution from HHBTM

I just saw Pan’s Labyrinth and cannot suggest enough that you see that movie. Best film I’ve seen in a long while.