Classic Rock: Nov 2001
Reviewer: Philip Wilding

Company Of Wolves Steryl Spycase (Ryf Records) The so-called lost second album from the New York band that promised so much with their self-titled 1990 debut. Polygram opted not to pick up the option on their second album and it's been a staple of private collectors and tape trader rumours ever since. Company Of Wolves suffered from the hard rock wave that was rolling across America at the time. Consequently, the band were marketed as a metal act (and the photo on the debut album didn't help; teased hair, cowboy boots) where, in fact, they were always much more a rock'n'soul outfit. "Steryl Spycase" accentuates those punchy roots with a smattering of tight brass and a looser, more rhythmic feel than its predecessor. This time it sounds like they're not trying too hard, which weakened their debut somewhat. Highlights include the boisterous 'Institution", the swaggering "Rhythm And Booze" and the lingering "Same Way Out (That You Came In)¹". Vocalist Kyf Brewer's gone solo to pretty good effect while Steve and John Conte front the excellent Crown Jewels. If you're not familiar with any of their work, here¹s a good a place to start as any.

http://134.96.65.17/~rage/companyreview.htm
Reviewer: Rage

Hoho! Whoever thought that the Company Of Wolves would ever return? Not me! After the major-label debut (in the late 80s) and the demo CD "Shakers And Tamborines" from 1998, "Steryl Spycase" is the third release of the band around Kyf Brewer. After the split of the COW, Kyf released two solo albums, more or less in the same direction as his main band: traditional hard rock à la Georgia Satellites, Black Crowes etc. On "Steryl Spycase", Kyf once agian is delivering a great vocal performance and also plays a great hammond organ. The rest of the line-up is formed by the Conte brothers (Steve on guitar and John on bass). The drums were performed by Kyf. Unfortunately, "Steryl Spycase" only contains eight songs and already ends after 38 minutes, but all fans of the above mentioned bands and other rock acts such as Thunder should try it. I especially like tracks such as "The Ballad Of Sailor Jack & Georgie" and "Same Way Out (That You Came In)", because they don't represent the simple riff-rock formula, but feature an emotional depth. Althought I prefer the elaborated tracks, I still have to commit that traditional rock songs like "Rhythm And Booze" transport a great feeling. "Steryl Spycase" is a very agreeable and sincere album. Contact: www.kyf.com. Rating: 7.5

Metal Observer

(http://www.metal-observer.de/gb/reviews/rev1091.html)
Reviewer: Alex

11 years after their self-titled debut it is back, the wolfpack under the leadership of Kyf Brewer. Some of you might still recall the opener of that album, "Call Of The Wild", a song that I still like to hear. And "Institution" kicks off the album in a similar fashion, not reaching it, but still a good start. Back then COMPANY OF WOLVES had stood for straight Rock with bluesy undertones, which lost a little substance as the album continued, but still held some special appeal. "Steryl Spycase" follows in these tracks, but they also take up a few different rhythms and sounds, like Sleaze, Southern Rock and also a few things that don't really belong to the Rock-category and won't really fit my ears with all open-mindedness that I have, "Rocks In Your Head" is a prime example for that. But the straight up-tempo of "Dance Yourself Stupid", the equally straight rocker "Damned" or the ballad "The Ballad Of Sailor Jack And Georgie" more than make up for that. Overall you could describe the second work of COMPANY OF WOLVES as a mixture of themselves (their debut) and the BLACK CROWES (finally I can totally agree with the info), which should be something for fans of these styles. Timeless one could say...

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