Fist Fight in the Parking Lot

It's a very fine line between cheese ball bar band rock and smooth, stylish stoner rock. One minute you're rocking out with your brother and plumber, the next you're Corrosion of Conformity (select eras of Corrosion of Conformity, that is). Pittsburgh-based Fist Fight in the Parking Lot are way better than the bro/shit-manager combo but, of course, are nowhere near COC level. But give them time, because here they lay down an impressive knowledge of how to make stoner rock riffs slither around, and into, the listener's brain (see the excellent "Side Steppin' Ninja," watch out for the stupid song title), over a drum performance that is understated but obviously restrained in the best of ways. For a small-label debut, the production is impressive as well, sounding fully organic and enveloping on big speakers or headphones. Oh, and having those "sultry rock chick" vocals and not making them sound totally cheesy? That's no small feat.