Ida Maria on the cover of her debut album

“Fortress around my heart”

 ’Fortress Around My Heart’, is Norway’s quirky and exuberant 24 year old vixen, Ida Maria Borli Silvertson debut album and gave those who like their music “out of the box” a authentic feast of the obscure, quirky, self-possessed and passionate.

Now, ‘Oh My God’, one of the potent pop pearls concealed within this album, displays all of the seventies guitar turning, slightly eerie yet strangely crisp new wave vocals that reveal soul-exploring and defiance. Ida Maria uses this to provoke and captivate in equal measures.

What is most noticeable in this single is the sheer independence that this Norwegian oozes. Despite coming from an obscure little town, Ida is suddenly realising that there is a great deal of universal appeal in the outlook that has grown out of her solitary upbringing.

What initially endeared me to Ida Maria are her vocals, her raspy growl and wail have prompted some critics to have stated that her vocals are the weakness of the album, and on the song “Morning Light” I realized that her voice is the best instrument on the record. My highlights from the album include the ever rocking remorseful single “Oh My God” and the punk-fuelled “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” however songs like “Morning Light ” and “Queen of the World” have had me jumping and jiving on more than one occasion.

The only down point is the rest of the album doesn’t quite live up to the expectation the first few tracks create and the record seems to calm down as if her tales of drunken despair have left her in a soberly  state of sadness.

Tracks like “Forgive Me” and “Keep Me Warm” and “See Me Through” reveals Ida Maria softer side both vocally, lyrically and spiritually. And although offers the album a relief from all the drunken sexual escapades she unashamedly drones about, perhaps the Norwegian spends too much time dwelling in a world of self-pity. 

She’s been dubbed a cross between PJ Harvey and the Pixies and according to some dimwit reporter for NME…. Amy Whinehouse too? This is rather ridiculous.  

I find myself struggling to find any British female artist to compare Ida Maria with and that is a feat in itself. I suppose you could say KT Tunstall shares her vocal assortment.

 I’d strongly recommend this album to anyone who likes rock music period. Whether you’re into indie, punk, garage, grunge, pop rock, blues, this album contains elements of all these genres and I found it to be one of my favorite albums of 2008 and I’m always tempted to overplay it on my IPod whilst out and about in London.

I regrettably missed out on a chance to see Ida Maria live in February at Camden’s KOKO venue  however I’m certain with her ever growing British fan base, Maria will be back.  

Check out the deluxe version of her album, available on ITunes. 

Original Track Listing

1.       ”Oh My God”

2.      “Drive Away My Heart”

3.      “Louie”

4.      “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked”

5.      “Keep Me Warm”

6.      “Forgive Me”

7.      “Stella”

8.      “Morning Light”

9.      “Queen of the World”

10.    ”See Me Through”