great sound ~ groovy, mellow, vibrant and with lyrics that have been carefully penned.  make sure you catch these guys live if you have the chance.  they are not 'stage performers' per se, but their music speaks for itself.
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With a name like the Skillets you might think “jug band,” but nope, this is some fine rootsy rock minus the twang, and with a little old school funk thrown in just for grins. The lyrics are deeper than the usual “Ooh baby I want you” of many rock bands, and the arrangements, built around hooky guitars, are refreshing. Wes writes the songs and sings lead, also lending his acoustic guitar for the center of many songs. He’s a good harmonica player too, adding a folky touch to a few cuts. Bryan Washam and Arch Alcantara contribute guitar and bass; Dave Rutkowski is the rhythm guy who doubles on keys.

The disc opens with “Into the Light,” an upbeat number with a positive message. “Casting Stones” is a lot darker, admonishing, “Only a fool has no shame.” It’s carried by a raspy acoustic guitar and later, a gritty slide guitar that’s tailor made for the taunting message.

Finding comfort is the theme in “Costa Mesa.”

She was going where the sunshine could see her
Where the rain didn’t fall so loud ... 

There’s a whiff of old Motown in “Around My Way,” and “Wasted Worry” has a 60s Hendrix style guitar as the center. “Road to Zion” has a Christian message, but it doesn’t flatten you – it’s passionately honest. “Yellow Moon” is a kind of folksy alt country thing, while the stripped down “Bound to Ride” is refreshing with just Wes’ vocal and a couple of guitars, really showcasing the song. “Intertwined” is even sparser, with only a vocal and guitar.
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Wes Tucker, a musician from the Washington, D.C. area, had one of the strongest releases of 2004 with his debut album Tradition.  Now he’s back with an impressive new album in-hand. 

Beauty in the Broken is Tucker’s second independently-released album and the first to feature an accompaniment by a full backing band.  The members of his new group, The Skillets, are impressive throughout the album and add a whole new dimension to Tucker’s songs. 

While Tucker’s previous album was filled with a lot of acoustic singer/songwriter tracks, the new effort shows that he has a greater range and ability than has been revealed in the past.  His soulful and passionate vocals have a rough edge that proves to be the perfect vehicle for the electric blues rock songs that are scattered throughout the 11 tracks on Beauty in the Broken. 

Tucker and company sound comfortable and confident on bluesy rock numbers like “Casting Stones” and “Blind Mind,” which provide a nice contrast to the light and breezy feel of songs like “Costa Mesa” and “Around My Way.”  Another standout track on this album is “Road to Zion,” a songs that could have come directly from Ben Harper’s catalog.

Wes Tucker definitely continues to impress on Beauty in the Broken.  By combining the solid songwriting skills he displayed on his debut album with the support of his new group of supporting musicians, Tucker has succeeded in making a good thing even better.
 
-Greg Yost - Music Monthly
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Just when you thought it couldn't get any better along comes Beauty and the Broken.  It's uplifting, meaningful, wise beyond their years, lyrics reach down and touch the soul.  It's not one man's tale but the tale of us all.  This CD embodies a soulful, kinesthetic, rhythm that makes you want to get up and dance.  It's addictive. You can't stop listening til you know the words and beats by heart. Then you find yourself humming it and looking forward til you can hear it again.  I love this CD.
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