Customer Reviews

Fortress Round My Heart [Vinyl]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Typically, when I order an album from an artist I never heard of it turns out to be a mistake, and I swear to myself I'll never do it again. Especially if I'm in the position of having to review the album, I hate to write anything negative--as I must it seems--because it belittles the hard work and years of commitment these artists put into their music. This time, I don't have any such problems because this album is terrific in every way.

Thank goodness I ignored the warning signs, such as the labels "Alternative" and "Punk." Seriously, why is any popular music out of the U.K. labeled "Alternative" and what the hell does that mean anyway? Seems like unless it's from the British Invasion era, it's considered Alternative Music. As for Punk, as a guy who grew up in the 80's I'd have to say this album reminds me more of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and not the least of Sid Vicious.

I especially like the live sound of this recording and suspect--note to self: read the album cover--this was recorded live to track rather than with the musicians coming in separately on a schedule. I would be very suprised if this band didn't sound even better live--as most performers these days can't pull off, relying more on technology than musicianship.

I love that none of the music sounds commercial--perhaps that's what "Alternative" means--and yet it's upbeat and energetic. Every song is very positive. No ballads of depression or songs that tread on our already overworn like of trendy or catchy commercial music.

My favorite song on here is "Queen of the World" and feel it's the best example of the tone of the album.

Like I said, I wont nitpick or tell you what to think of this album, but I will say that if you're looking for something to try, something that you're very bound to just plain like, I would definitely recommend this album.

BOTTOM LINE: You'll be singing it in the shower in no time.

I simply don't understand why so many people have been giving this album a 4 or less. Maybe because there was a lot of hype surrounding the album (and you know how people like to blame everyone but themselves, when it doesn't live up to their expectations)...

Maybe because they listen to too much of this genre and think it doesn't stand out enough (again, that's their problem, not the album's)

This album is awesome, start to finish. I can pop this in and smile and hum these songs for the rest of the day. It's really catchy, fun, punk flavored party music.

"Oh My God" and "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" are good songs, but I'm surprised no one mentioned "Queen of the Night" or "Louie" (...and Louie was found catchy enough to wind up on a commercial).

If you want to put some tunes in your car to speed around and cheer you up...or dance to at a party (or around the house)...this is such a perfect album. It's an album so good that I'm worried that her second release won't live up to it.

On Ida Maria's debut, "Fortress Around My Heart", she brings that old school punk with modern production touches roaring back. The one-two-three punch of the opening tracks "Oh My God", "Morning Light" and "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" blast this album out of the trash and into your brain cells.

This isn't to say that Ida is perfect. There are a few missteps like "Keep Me Warm", "In The End" and "Louie", but even these songs are fairly decent. Ida has so many good songs here it's easy to forget that "Fortress Around My Heart" is just a debut. She seems like she's been making professional music for years.

Other standout tracks include "Forgive Me", "Queen Of The World" and "Drive Away My Heart".

As someone who grew up on punk/new wave, "Fortress Around My Heart" reeled me in, and kept my attention for it's 31 minutes. A new talent has arrived from Norway/Sweden, and I look forward to hearing what Ida comes up with next. I give "Fortress Around My Heart" four stars, with room for improvement next time.

Ida Maria is a Norwegian pop singer. Maria's CD 'Fortress Round My Heart' has fun music that appeals to the teen and 20's crowd. It is fun to listen to, and the lyrics, while fairly simple and repetitive, made me laugh out loud in places. The music is skillfully played, and all in all it is a fun CD to have in any collection. Maria's voice is fabulous, and she is sure to become a much bigger hit.

The tracks seemed to run together and the melodies seemed repetitive. For me it was too "up" for me to relax and to melodic to get excited.

I realize this is a debut album and Ida has, I'm sure a lot or promise. This CD, unfortunately, did not display what I am certain she will eventually achieve. In this case it seems to be a whole set of middle of the road tunes that cry out for texture.

I first saw Ida Maria on March 30, 2009 at Webster Hall in New York City when she/they opened for Glasvegas. I knew nothing about her then, but I liked what I heard and got the CD "Fortress Around My Heart". After a little research I found out she was from Norway (she had a foreign accent at the show - and cursed quite frequently! For some reason when someone with a foreign accent curses it seems to soften the impact quite a lot.)

Just a trivial note, the U.S. cover art differs from the European cover art, but the songs remain the same.

Her First song, "Oh My God" starts out with her singing "Thank You For My Life" then breaks into a rocking chorus of "Oh My God Oh You Think I'm In Control" which for your own sake you better hope she is, the way she is carrying on with a minimal yet substantial angst. This song is a good opener, I guess foreshadowing some of what's to come.

"Morning Light" is a nice indie-pop song, witch catchy hooks and just a hint of anger, especially wen she sings "...and you've got a polished mask, Yeah it looks like s**t". I think this song refers to waking up with someone after a night of heavy drinking.

Ida's "hit" single off of "Fortress Round My Heart" has got to be "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked". Heck, I'm sure I'd like her better too when she's naked, she's not bad looking. This is a good song, but I'm usually one that likes some of the other songs on an album better than the singles, but you know this song is BIG in the clubs and I'm sure after a few beers I'd be really into this song.

"Stella" is very MOR and will probably appear on some soft rock playlists, not a very substantial track, but I wouldn't turn it off either.

"Keep Me Warm" is a ballad where she doesn't "wanna play any theatre for you, I don't wanna stage a single piece for you", She just wants you to keep her warm! This song I would skip if I were downloading, there's not really much to it.

The next song, "Forgive Me" picks it up a little. It's about a mistaken love affair with "cold cold kisses" and being kept like an "old sofa you found in a second-hand store". Ouch! She finally realizes she's not wanted and asks for forgiveness "For running down your door ...I Promise I won't do that anymore, I promise I won't do that anymore." This is a good song, her voice cracks as she screams a lot throughout the track. Download this one.

"Queen Of The World" is ok, I like the drum beats, then it speeds up at the chorus with some catchy parts before it settles down back to the drum beats and repeats the chorus again. It's a happier song than most on the album. You can bob your head to this one.

"Louie" is another head bopper, indie poppy song that is happier than "Queen of The World". I really like this one a lot. She just wants to know if he has room for her. I like the lyric "Oh, nobody know, why some are born, with empty holes, like twisted souls". I would download this one too.

I didn't like the way "Drive Away My Heart" began, but it got better, and now, I'm not so into it. Ida's voice is very droney in this track and lagging. She reminds me a little of Stevie Nicks here, a person whose vocals I'm not too fond of. Skip if downloading, unless you like that kind of stuff.

The finally track, "In The End" is another ballad which you can probably skip if you are downloading, it is just "fill".

Overall, Ida Maria's "Fortress `Round' My Heart" is rather mediocre. I was seriously expecting more. She is better live than in the studio, plus I had a few beers at the show, which may have made her seem better than I thought. If you are downloading tracks from this album I would choose: "Morning Light", "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked", "Forgive Me", and "Louie".

The voice of Ida Maria stands on its own. The music might not be the best, but again, this woman can sing and overall this is a good CD.

Ida Maria has a strong, yet sensitive indie sound. I liken it to finding an unexpected gem of a singer in a local urban club. I find myself really enjoying this album; I think my favorite is the softer "Stella" track. Overall I find her sound fresh and interesting.

My wife thought I'd like this and bought the album for me- listened to it the whole way through then listened again. Ida Maria does a lot of experimentation as well- she has tons of tracks on soundcloud. Hope she comes back to the US so we can see her live- she's a very refreshing and talented addition to the pop or indie scene. I watched a few interviews on youtube as well- seems like a genuinely interesting and interested person who I hope we hear a lot more from. It's really nice to see a woman not in a "girl band" and really pushing it hard.

Ida Maria, a young female artist from Norway that broke into the music a few years ago with an excellent first release. A solid, punk-rock-indie-girl power 10 songs album that will blow your head.