Michigan does it again. I seriously have no idea what happens there to produce songwriters & musicians of genuine quality and substance, but it happens, and happens a great deal. Let's start a short list, and roll from there: Sufjan Stevens (a given), Anathallo (Chicagoans now, but Mt. Pleasant produced 'em), Ben and Bruno (hello, Grand Rapids), Ribbons of Song, Breathe Owl Breathe, and our boy here - Chris Bathgate.
"A Cork Tale Wake" is a solid release from a man who isn't afraid to mix his folk with horns and some electric guitar crunch as necessary. I'm somewhat uncertain who to compare him to, as I don't desire to do disservice to either his music or those I might cite. However, if you take a playlist involving any of the aforementioned bands, add Crooked Fingers and Damien Jurado to it, and even add some aspects of decidedly more experimental, atmospheric acts, Chris's music would join them quite comfortably.
Specifically, there are songs on this album that floor me. I re-play "Cold Fusion (Snakes)" again and again, and there's a distorted electric guitar part on "The Last Parade on Ann St." that I swear to you reminds me inescapably of some riff from the Pixies' "Doolittle". So much so that it renders me giddy every time I listen to it.
"A Cork Tale Wake" vacillates between haunting, gorgeous, and fun. That's such a weak description, but it stands. Truthfully, it stands.