Madam X - We Reserve The Right (1984)
With a career only spanning one album, US glam metal band Madam X produced We Reserve The Right, their debut and swansong, in 1984. I was never too sure how to take Madam X – were they serious or having a bit of a laugh: it’s hard to tell for sure but I imagine that tongue was in cheek, at least for part of the time, as their stage attire and demeanour, coupled with their cheesy-metal lyrics and riffs, could only be done with a wry smile . . . couldn’t they? However, back to the album . . .
The opener is the title track from the album and was also a single if my memory serves me correctly – and was performed live on the short-lived Channel 4 heavy metal series ECT back in 1985: a performance which can be seen below. Bret Kaiser, apart from looking a little strange, puts on his best ‘metal voice’ for this ‘anthem’ – Sebastian Back from Skid Row was the vocalist when the band was getting together so had a narrow escape – which is one of the better tracks on the album.
Come One, Come All is another clenched fist pumping anthem with screechy vocals and lyrics of the most banal nature – and Kaiser’s inability to come up with a vocal melody that doesn’t largely follow the chugging chords of Maxin Petrucci is palpable . . . in fact, the ability to come up with anything melodic is rather lacking . . . including Petrucci’s guitar playing!
She’s Hot Tonight is a bit of an improvement, sounding distinctly like Shout At The Devil-era Motley Crue which is no bad thing, especially after hearing the first two tracks. Dirty Girls opens with a reasonable, if run-of-the-mill riff from Petrucci and the song canters at a reasonable pace and is again in Crue territory, albeit a pale imitation. Petrucci’s solo is rather gangrenous here too – as on most tracks. If you’ve ever heard Vinny Vincent on his ‘Invasion’ tracks soloing you’ll get the idea of Maxine Petrucci: no beginning, no end, no melody, no emotion but lots of speed.
Max Volume is a guitar instrumental penned by Maxine Petrucci and whilst a reasonable shred with a bit of chord picking thrown in for good measure, I don’t think Yngwie Malmsteen is going to need to keep looking over his shoulder! Fortunately, it’s a short piece before we’re into the up-tempo Metal In My Veins. Despite the awful lyrics – in fact any song with ‘metal’, ‘rock’ etc in their lyrics should be viewed with some scepticism – the actual track’s not bad, it’s a ballsy rocker and one of the ‘high points’ of the album.
Bearing in mind my comments above, We Reserve The Right To Rock is more fist clenching anthem fodder . . . don’t let anyone tell you to turn down your rock, play it on 10! Need I say more? Think of Twisted Sister’s I Wanna Rock and We’re Not Gonna Take It and lyrically you’re not far off . . . although compared to Madam X, Twisted Sister were light years ahead!
Good with Figures is again, a bludgeoning, chugging power-chord fest and not really distinguishable from the preceding track. Cat’s Got Your Tongue is another highly similar track, apart from the guitar sound which appears to have been recorded in a public convenience! The guitar sound persists on We Want Rock – I can’t even bring myself to comment further on this track.
Stand Up and Fight is a double-bass drum up tempo number but is, alas, about standing up and fighting for your right to play rock loudly . . . oh dear!
Madam X just about encapsulate in one album, all the elements on which I’m not overly keen in metal – and there’ aren’t many so that’s some achievement! The only good thing to come out of them was drummer Roxy Petrucci who went on to play in Vixen – and who I met about 20 years ago and was lovely – but apart from that, steer clear of this album (the cover alone should be enough to put the sane off purchasing it). Well, come to think of it, listen to the album as it will make you appreciate the other records in your collection all the more. Incidentally, ’singer’ – and I use the term very loosely – Bret Kaiser is now an Elvis impersonator . . . wonders will never cease!
- Bret Kaiser – Vocals
- Maxine Petrucci – Guitars
- Chris Doliber – Bass
- Roxy Petrucci – Drums
Thank You so much for at least spelling my name correctly. As far as your revue goes I am glad you enjoyed it. Now when you become a grown up and get a real job, then you will be able to say nice things about people instead of the drabble you write. Oh and I do use the term “Write” very loose…Thank you Bret Kaiser
Well Mr Kaiser, my intention certainly wasn’t to offend in any way and the review was intended – as are a few on the site – as humourous . . . furthermore at least you’ve had a metal album out there which I concede is more than I have and for that I salute you!