Yes, PK is a bit odd – he admits it. While some folks can’t get past that, it’s hard not to get into his whacked take on traditional blues and country.

Healed is a bit different in that he uses other musicians to accompany him. You still get the slightly-off-kilter blues, great lyrics that fluctuate between funny, odd, sad, and deadly serious, and the voice from another dimension.

At this point you’re saying “what is he talking about?” Well, how many other blues songs do you know that start a verse with “I got the blues so bad I almost wet my pants”? It eventually works up to almost having to get a drink instead of wetting his pants, but you get the idea, and it’s sung in an acoustic country-blues with hellacious guitar and harp.

“At the Crossroads Mall” has Dwyer yanking our chain, with the help of some indescribably cool intertwining acoustic guitars. The charm of “Here Comes A Parade” is charming, with its country feel and anticipation. Then there are songs seemingly on the risqué side; “You Fill Up My Hole” is a hot boogie with a big acoustic sound, and “Inside Out” has a bit of a rag feel and a goofy lyric. Dwyer also pays homage to some of the blues greats on “Mt. Baker Blues.”

It’s fun when someone interjects something new into a genre. You might question the message, but in the case of Dywer, you needn’t question the messenger. His command of and obvious love for the music prove that he means what he says.

This article originally appeared in VG’s Aug. ’07 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.