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Reviews, May 2002
Reviewer: Lee Aspin
(http://heartoftherock.com/03-1998a.html )
KYF BREWER - SALVADOR DELI (1998, RYF RECORDS)
I think Kyf Brewer is someone who¹s all too often overlooked. Yeah, sure, a lot of people know the first Company of Wolves CD, but to be fair, the man's solo outings have never had the recognition they deserve. Salvador Deli, the second of Kyf's solo albums screams for attention - to my ears, this is great fine weather, in-car music. 'Nothing To Do With Love', has echoes of one of Kyf's better-known compositions, 'Beautiful Thing', and is a more than fine way to kick things off. However, it¹s track two, 'Everything She Says', which really hits the spot. Screaming out for radio play, this has to be the great hit single which never was. It comes across like Martin¹s Dam with a Rembrandts chorus, with its great blend of acoustic/electric with mandolin adding colour. 'Sweethearts of the Radio' I think must be a pun on The Byrds album title 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo', especially as it features a Roger McGuinn-esque guitar sound. 'Trouble With Angels' definitely recalls 'Big Daddy' era John Mellencamp and played in the right surroundings could be a contender for best song on the album. 'Splattered Across The Highway' explores Kyf's love of three chord Rolling Stones inspired rock. Normally, I¹d love this (like some of the stuff from 'Steryl Spycase', the second Company of Wolves CD), but it sounds a little out of place here set against this albums more pastel shades. 'Spellbound' and 'Open' are reminiscent of the major label works of The Replacements and especially the solo releases by their frontman Paul Westerberg. If you ask me, that¹s never a bad thing. As a whole, 'Salvador Deli' could never be described as polished or perfect, but then it doesn¹t pretend to be. It has flaws and it's those flaws which make it so good. It feels real - you can¹t fake stuff like this. It's got the same kind of heart as Paul Westerberg's '14 Songs¹ and Neil Young's 'Zuma'. If you like your stuff with a retro feel and cooked medim-rare, check out Salvador Deli,but you'll have to ask Kyf about the opening hours. - Lee J Aspin
Reviews, May 2000
Reviewer: Tom
(http://www.heim-e.uni-sb.de/~rage/brewerreview.htm)
Many of you won’t know the name Kyf Brewer. He was the singer of the fantastic Company Of Wolves who released an album full of dirty and dusty rock on Polygram Records in 1990. In 1998, Kyf released a collection of Company Of Wolves demos from 1988. You can find a review of it also in our self-releases section. But Kyf has also released two solo albums. The first one, ME AND MY BIG MOUTH was already released in 1994 and reminds a bit of the Company Of Wolves because it has a slight street rock touch. On the second album, SALVADOR DELI from 1998, you get finest singer/ songwriter music. All songs were written by Kyf and his buddy Dave Woodworth who is also playing the guitars. On the guest list of both albums, you got Company Of Wolves bass player John Conte. The songs have some similarities to other great solo artists like Dan Baird (ex- Georgia Satellites) or even Tom Petty (but without the nasal voice of course!). True handmade rock music. Clever songwriting, interesting lyrics and great melodies. You can find straight forward rockers, melancholy ballads and midtempo songs. Kyf's powerful but also sensitive voice, guitar solos full of feeling, bluesy background vocals and fantastic harmonies. The instrumentation on both albums is varied – you find bagpipes, bottles, cello, fiddle, accordion, mandolin, pedal steel and piano. And of course the typical rock instruments. Now you perhaps get an idea of the sound on these albums. I won’t especially mention any songs because both albums have no fillers, only killers. As far as I know, both albums aren’t available in record stores, but you can contact Kyf through his website. Rating: 10 (both albums).
Miles of Music, September
1999
Reviewer: Rick Cornell
(http://milesofmusic.com/mzpop899.html)
Just before launching into the infectious "Nothing to Do with Being in Love," the opening track on his meaty Salvador Deli, Kyf Brewer exhorts "Who's with me?!" It took me all of 30 seconds to sign on, just long enough for the song's he-doth-protest-too-much chorus to kick in. Brewer mixes Richard X. Heyman/Walter Clevenger-style bouncy pop ("Mother of Jocelyn" and "Open") with Dan Baird/ Faces-on-grits rave-ups ("Trouble with Angels" and the gloriously gory, nastily nostalgic "Splattered All Over the Highway"), and still manages to clear out room for the occasional wild card like the accordion-visited title track. Impressively, damn near everything works. "Sweethearts of the Radio" is a personal favorite -- the best song about receiving a fan letter since the Rainmakers' "The Other Side of the World." And as you might expect from the song's title, there's no shortage of Byrdsy jangle.
| Lehigh Valley
NOW, June 1999 If you're a fan of current pop-TV you've probably already heard KYF BREWER http://www.kyf.com - you just didn't know it. His unique blend of pop, folk and blues-rock have been showcased on such shows as Party of Five (FOX), Dawson's Creek (The WB), Baywatch and VH-1 Europe. He's been the voice behind the successful VH-1 series "Before They Were Rock Stars" and garnered spots on shows like Serial Mom and Homicide. These related lines of work have only served to aid Kyf's visibility and credibility as an entertainer. About two years ago I had the great pleasure catching a night of KYF BREWER at the California Bar & Grill in Reading, PA. It was more than obvious from the first note that this was a band with a destiny. I can guarantee you that all in attendance were blessed with an evening of world class music. Rightfully so from the man who was the driving force in Company of Wolves (Mercury/Polygram) and The Ravyns (MCA). Now let's talk about KYF BREWER's latest release, Salvador Deli, on his own independent label Ryf Records. Salvador Deli is my first taste of his craftsmanship in CD form. I'm here to testify that everything this man does rocks both live and on the disc. His mastery of the pop laced hook is undeniable. The great thing is that the songs are entertaining while being careful to remain un-pretentious. Nothing To Do With Being In Love kicks off the disc. This song is better than almost anything I've heard recently on mainstream rock radio. My personal favorites are Everything She Does and Trouble With Angels. Even though this is an independent release, there is nothing on it that could ever tell you this. Not the songs, the production and especially not the mastering done by famed engineer Ted Jensen at New York's Sterling Sound. Yep, if only major label releases had this much substance in song and quality of production. Kyf closes Salvador Deli with a taste of the old country as he breaks out his Bagpipes (yep, I've seen it myself and let me tell you what a frenzied crowd it creates live). Kyf's supported by an eclectic mix of professional musicians, including Mindy Jostyn on fiddle & accordion, KYF BREWER presents one of the most powerful independent releases I've heard. It's pumped full of stick in your head lyrics and melodies all wrapped up in a snappy package. You'll be hearing more great things from this guy. You can purchase the CD directly through Kyf Brewer's web site at http://www.kyf.com or at any live show. In addition, Kyf offers up an equally delectable selection of previous KYF BREWER releases and other projects (including a disc of all BagPipe music). As a final note of testament to both Kyf's talent and track record in this crazy here today gone tomorrow business his label, Ryf Records, features no less than six of his projects. Do yourself a favor and check this one out. If you like it Kyf's got plenty more where Salvadore Deli came from! Scott Williams has a history of over 10 years in the entertainment industry as a songwriter, performer and management consultant.
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