Fortress Round My Heart

Fortress Round My Heart
Studio album by Ida Maria
Released	July 28, 2008 (Norway and UK)
Recorded	Townhouse Studios
Genre	Indie rock
Length	31:10
Label	Nesna Records, Sony BMG, Waterfall Records, Mercury Records, Island Def Jam Records
Ida Maria chronology
Fortress Round My Heart (2008) Katla (2010)
Alternative cover
2009 UK reissue

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
The A.V. Club	(A−) [2]
The Fly	[3]
The Guardian	[4]
Los Angeles Times	[5]
NME	(6/10) [6]
Pitchfork Media	(7.5/10) [7]
Rolling Stone	[8]
Slant	[9]
Spin	[10]

Fortress Round My Heart is the debut album by Norwegian musician Ida Maria, released in the UK on July 28, 2008, and in the US on March 24, 2009. Six singles were released before the album's release: "Oh My God", "Drive Away My Heart", "Stella", "Queen of the World", "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" and the re-release of "Oh My God".

Track listing

The original version was released through SonyBMG, as they had signed a partnership deal with Norway's Waterfall Records, who signed Ida and her independent label, Nesna Records. All songs composed by Ida Maria Sivertsen. ^[11]

All songs written by Ida Maria

1. "Oh My God" – 3:18
2. "Drive Away My Heart" – 3:21
3. "Louie" – 2:27
4. "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" – 3:14
5. "Keep Me Warm" – 3:30
6. "Forgive Me" – 3:14
7. "Stella" – 3:03
8. "Morning Light" – 2:25
9. "Queen of the World" – 3:29
10. "See Me Through" – 3:24

Deluxe edition

On February 9, 2009 a deluxe edition of the album was released, after the re-release of "Oh My God". It features three new tracks, the removal of one song ("See Me Through"), a change in the order of the songs, new artwork and two bonus videos exclusive to iTunes. The album was released independently, through Nesna Records and Waterfall Records, as the deal with SonyBMG had been terminated.

Track listing ^[12]

1. "Oh My God"
2. "Morning Light"
3. "Queen of the World"
4. "Stella"
5. "Forgive Me"
6. "Leave Me, Let Me Go" (New)
7. "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked"
8. "Louie"
9. "Drive Away My Heart"
10. "Keep Me Warm"
11. "In the End" (New)
12. "We're All Going to Hell" (New)
13. "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" Video (iTunes bonus track)
14. "Oh My God" Video (iTunes bonus track)

US Edition

Mercury Records, an imprint of Island/Def Jam, released "Fortress 'Round My Heart" on digital download services on 24 March 2009. The album features 9 of the 10 tracks of the original release but with a completely rearranged track listing and new artwork again. It replaces the last song with 'In the End' from the deluxe edition. All songs composed by Ida Maria Sivertsen. ^[11]

1. Oh My God
2. Morning Light
3. I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked
4. Stella
5. Keep Me Warm
6. Forgive Me
7. Queen Of The World
8. Louie
9. Drive Away My Heart
10. In The End

Chart performance

The album debuted on the U.K. chart at #39, (which became its peak position). The following week, it fell out of the top 40, from #39 to #60.

In Norway, it debuted at #5 (which became its peak position). It remained in the top 20 for seven weeks.

In Ireland, it debuted at #38.

The NME rated it as the 48th best album of the year for 2008. ^[13]

Singles

Song	Release date	UK Peak position
"Oh My God"	October 1, 2007	DNC
"Drive Away My Heart"	December 10, 2007	DNC
"Stella"	March 10, 2008	185 [14]
"Queen Of The World"	May 12, 2008	DNC
"I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked"	July 21, 2008	13
"Oh My God" (re-release)	January 26, 2009	85

Charts

Standard edition

Chart	Peak position
UK Album Chart	39
Irish Album Chart	38
Norway Album Chart	5

Personnel

• Ida Maria – vocals, rhythm guitar
• Stefan Törnby – lead guitar
• Johannes Lindberg – bass guitar
• Olle Lundin – drums ^[15]

References

1. Allmusic review
2. A.V. Club review
3. "The Fly review". Archived from the original on 2010-12-28. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
4. "CD: Ida Maria, Fortress Round My Heart". The Guardian . 2008-07-24. Archived from the original on 2016-03-08.
5. Los Angeles Times review
6. NME review
7. Pitchfork Media review
8. Rolling Stone review
9. Slant review Archived 2009-04-22 at the Wayback Machine
10. Spin review
11. Discogs.com release info
12. Track Listing Deluxe
13. "NME's best albums and tracks of 2008". NME . Retrieved 2022-10-29.
14. "Chart Log UK – Chart Coverage and Record Sales 2008". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
15. "RCA Label Group (UK) Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart". RCA Label Group. 28 July 2008. Archived from the original on 16 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-26.