Album Review: Frank Migliorelli and the Dirt Nappers - Abnormal Conditions

Frank Migliorelli and the Dirt Nappers

Abnormal Conditions

**** out of *****

The Red Hook, NY based roots-rockers Frank Migliorelli and the Dirt Nappers are back at it with a collection of tracks that run the gamut from escapist fantasy to protest anthems as Abnormal Conditions tries to make sense of these wild times by both digging in and tuning out. 

The group is composed of veterans from the rock scene including leader Migliorelli (Guitars, Harmonica & Vocals) who brings onboard a core band of Tom “Goose” Seguso (Drums & Percussion), Tony Tino (Electric & Acoustic Bass), Daniel A. Weiss (Keyboards), Thad DeBrock (Acoustic and Electric Guitars), Sherryl Marshall, Soozie Tyrell, Lisa Lowell (Backing Vocals). These artists have played with everyone from Joan Osborne to David Johansen to Bruce Springsteen, bringing depth and nuance to the tunes, which also feature a few guests along the way.

The record opens strongly with the running on empty road rocker "Take The Wheel" as Migliorelli paints a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde scene, escaping the police around tambourine, revved up guitar and excellent organ work from Weiss. "Michigan" is an ode to the state that feels like a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers outtake while Marshall Crenshaw joins Migliorelli on vocals for the broken-hearted, sad rocker "Ever Since You Went Away". 

The band's range is wide as they deliver a slow ominous groove on "Year of Living Dangerously", a soft melancholy effort with "The Rain Will Always Fall On This Side Of Town", a dramatic album closing piano ballad "This Whiskey Won't Burn" and a early 60's hip swaying ditty "She'll Wait To Hear The Heartbeat". All this variety proves the combos skills and Migliorelli's songwriting talent, but a few other tunes really shine brightly. 

Both the politically furious "Fire Road" and the yearning "She's Been Waiting Forever" are album highlights in completely different fashions. On "Fire Road" Migliorelli and company rage against modern fascism, climate change and more as the powerfully pumped-up protest number feels alive and kinetic. "She's Been Waiting Forever" is the delicate flipside, a simply gorgeous personal tale pushed along by skittering drums as Tania Elizabeth (The Avett Brothers) joins Migliorelli on strings and singing. Their vocals pair wonderfully during the soft, affecting, stand-out number. 

A stout offering from the seasoned professionals, Frank Migliorelli and the Dirt Nappers Abnormal Conditions rings out winningly via strong songs, crisp production and top-tier musicianship.  

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