Ring in the New Year with Katie Herzig’s Latest Album, “The Waking Sleep”

Posted by Brittany Barth on 12/20 at 07:04 PM

Grade: A

With 2013 rapidly approaching, an update to your music library is in order. In case you haven’t been able to come up with a New Year’s resolution yet (don’t feel bad, I haven’t either) why not make it your goal to broaden your taste in music?

Don’t know where to start?

Begin with Katie Herzig’s latest album The Waking Sleep.

I discovered the California native while watching MTV’s latest series Catfish. During a recent episode, one of Katie’s singles, “Free My Mind” was featured. Much like the rest of her music, the song is free-spirited and evokes a sense of bliss.

Since I was so attracted to the single, I investigated Katie’s music further to see what else the folk rock singer had to offer.

I was amazed at what I had found.

The Waking Sleep is everything that an album should be. The album provides songs that reflect whatever emotion you’re feeling, making it impossible not to connect with the music. The album accomplishes this by alternating between songs that are light-hearted and songs that are accompanied by powerful sound. And while there is a shift in the tone of the album, it still manages to remain cohesive.

Katie begins The Waking Sleep by introducing audiences to her carefree side with songs such as “Way To The Future,” “Make A Noise” and especially “Best Day Of Your Life.” It is easy to lose yourself in the dreaminess of these songs, to drift away with music. These are songs that simply make you happy.

If you’re looking to feel inspired, turn to songs such as “Wasting Time,” “Midnight Serenade” and “Oh My Darlin’.” These songs provide a sense of hope, a sense that nothing is impossible.

While the majority of the album is of a lighthearted nature, Katie showcases just how masterful and emotionally driven her music can be. She introduces her audience to her passionate side beginning with “Closest I Get.” While the song has a tame beginning, it’s ending is consumed by the orchestra. As I listened to this song, my heart became full. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of modern music I have ever heard.

The same can also be said for the songs that follow: title track “The Waking Sleep,” “Lost And Found” and “Daises And Pews.” These are songs that are both lovely and incredibly powerful. Like “Closest I Get,” these songs are accompanied by an orchestra that sets the songs on fire.

I have never been a fan of folk rock music but Katie Herzig has managed to recruit me with The Waking Sleep. It possesses music that other artists should seek to model. What she has created on this album is the stuff of great music.

Can’t get enough of Katie? You can check out her 2008 albums: Weightless, Watch Them Fall, and Apple Tree.

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