Frank Migliorelli and The Dirt Nappers – She Moves Like a Mystery Review: That Special Kind of Woman

Frank Migliorelli and his band the Dirt Nappers Americana roots-rock sound cannot be denied. With a catalog of music written for television and ad agencies, the bluesy rock tone of Frank Migliorelli comes full force with each song despite the contrast between the two styles. From the bouncy beats of Rockin’ in the Moonlight from the album Bass, Drums, Guitars and Organs to the smooth and bluesy sounds of tracks like Down in Flames off of City Eastern Serenade the catchiness and soul of the band is off the charts. This continues in their newest track, She Moves Like A Mystery.

The song feels different from Frank Migliorelli’s other offerings, even those on the more mellow end such as this. The song feels sensual in tone but doesn’t compromise the Americana and bluesy edge the band is known for. It harkens back to ’70s era smooth rock feel, but with lyrics so intense that it breathes new life into such an old sound and style of music. Lines such as, “lipstick traces and fingerprints is all she leaves behind,” followed by “she disappears in the shadows and I don’t know what to do, she leaves me with a perfume scent and that’s my only clue” add an aura of captivating mystery to the woman he describes. He goes on to say, “this old typewriter won’t help me turn a phrase, I been starin’ at the page so long that nights turn into days” only serves to drive the point home on how much she’s on his mind. It all comes together in a hell of a track that stands alone among the other Dirt Nappers tracks but never deviates from their unique sound.

With a smooth guitar and a voice that sings to yesteryear, Frank Migliorelli and the Dirt Nappers new single is solid. If you were a fan of their previous two albums you will appreciate the familiar ground with a sound you can still appreciate on a cool night or an early morning. To new listeners, this hopefully sets the stage for the band’s new album that this track will undoubtedly stand alongside this one. For now, though, you’ll undoubtedly be listening to this one over and over.