Fortress 'round My Heart

Ida Maria | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: March 24, 2009
• Release Date: March 24, 2009
• Label: Mercury Records
• Copyright: (C) 2009 The Island Def Jam Music Group
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 32:16
• Genres:
• ASIN: B001XNJ7N4
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,581 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alternative? Punk? Everyone is talking about the new sound honey but it's still Rock 'n' Roll to me. I love this album., July 14, 2009

By 

John P. Thiel "John T." (Astoria, Queens, New York City) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fortress Round My Heart (Audio CD)

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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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You're Still Wondering...YES, the album is Good!, June 14, 2010

By 

C. Lenoir (Tooele, UT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fortress Round My Heart (Audio CD)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like me so much better when you're naked., June 26, 2009

By 

Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fortress Round My Heart (Audio CD)

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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.