If you have a Mass of Fermenting Dregs, will you end up with curds and whey?

Bounce.com put this band on the front page of its site, and their self-titled debut mini-album was posted to JPOPSUKI. So I decided to check out MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS, and I have to say I’m really enjoying them. The songwriting bounces around to just about every kind of indie rock — from sing-song pop to long-winded instrumental jams. It’s equal parts Condor44, unkie and Bugy Craxone.

Dave Fridmann, producer of the Flaming Lips and NUMBER GIRL, helms the last two tracks on the album. In fact, those tracks employ a bit of the thunderous reverb NUMBER GIRL used on SAPPUKEI. Check out the band’s Myspace page for audio samples. Oddly enough, the album is available over at YesAsia. Alas, I must wait for the next paycheck before I can place an order.

I’ve gotten really picky about finding new Japanese artists these days, so to be drawn genuinely to a band like MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS is a rarity. Honestly, I think the last time I encountered such an indelible first impression was with Sasagawa Miwa in 2004.

Leo Imai is another artist about whom I’m curious. I can see Ian’s point about Imai, and at the same time, I like what I’ve heard so far. I managed to find an MP3 of "Blue Technique" by some web search, and I’ve been listening to it regularly. It’s almost driving me to drop cash on the single. But I’ll be patient and wait for the album in late February. I don’t anticipate Imai displacing Shiina Ringo or any of my other oft-named favorites, but I think there’s enough to keep me interested for an album or two.

We’ll see.