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Fortress Around My Heart Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the debut album for the singer from Norway.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. The album only has two full-fledged ballads, and while they don’t burst with the same life as the rest of the record, they showcase the songwriting and performance chops that should earn Maria a notable career beyond this impressive debut.
  2. 90
    The result of that little informal challenge is Fortress Around My Heart, the Norwegian singer’s debut album that expertly blends her throaty punk vocals with an infectious pop sensibility.
  3. Still, overreaching is a forgivable flaw on an otherwise accomplished debut, which usually sounds so confident in its creator's insecurities.
  4. The more conventional tracks prevent the album from reaching a true fever pitch, but even they are elevated by Maria's primal wail.
  5. It’s a confident, downright cracking debut record, and late to the party as we in North America may be, when the music’s a fun as this, it hardly matters at all.
  6. She’s great, but Lord, it’s heavy-going.
  7. Under The Radar
    40
    Maria too often comes across as someone who gives so much of herself to this record in an attempt to believe her own lie. [Spring 2009, p.76]

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. PeteC
    Jan 16, 2009
    10
    Critics have gotten used to something other than what is fresh and unique. Many have failed to see the frenetic energy and passion in Ida Critics have gotten used to something other than what is fresh and unique. Many have failed to see the frenetic energy and passion in Ida Maria's music as well as the depth. This is a fantastic album - definitely not boring. Expand
  2. jennifert
    Apr 15, 2009
    10
    This is an awesome, soulful album!
  3. GusC
    Apr 22, 2009
    10
    Great garrage!
  4. GD
    Jun 22, 2009
    10
    Pop punk music exploding with energy from start to finish. There is something in that Scandinavian water.
  5. Jun 9, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. For what its worth, I went to 7-11 and bought two Kashi bars and a bottle of Minute Maid apple juice while everybody celebrated their one-year anniversary in your name. There was salad, I was told. I had always hoped we'd bump into each other at the Down to Earth across the street. Expand