The album is very avant garde. At times is a very beautiful listen and at other times it’s a little bit strange, but that’s what makes this different.  You’ll be delighted by Churchwarden, Pheasant Dreams and Peppermint Suite among others.

The quirky songs are ones like Tinsel On My Stump which has a very Tom Waits air to it.  It is totally unexpected too, when surrounded by the other tracks on the album. which sound more like soundscapes that you’d hear on albums by Mannheim Steamroller, but that’s what sets this album apart from any other holiday fare. Of course, you might notice that this album is different just by flipping the disc over and looking at the titles. Titles like The Burial Of The Sardine,  Plaid Gravy and Xmas In The Mortuary are a definite sign of something a little off the norm, but before you dismiss this album as something too crazy, slip that disc into your CD player. Some of the most interesting tracks are the ones that have the oddest names, like The Ice Worm Festival,  The Night Of The Radishes and Wolf At The Door, the later of which I’m particularly fond of for the cricket-like sounds in the background and thunderclaps. Plaid Gravy bears mentioning again, because the lyrics alone will have you giggling and with the addition of the banjo just makes the listener go WOW! I swear I heard something about mustard and wieners in the lyrics! Those are two words I never thought to hear in a song holiday or otherwise.

For the most part, this album plays like the score to a 21^st century ballet, which I’d love to see. When it goes off that format, it can confuse the listener a bit, but for those willing to take a chance on holiday themed disc that’s not filled with Silent Night and White Christmas, this is definitely a disc worth trying, and because of its unique sound, it can be played throughout the year without getting you strange looks.

I applaud Musaphonic for filling a gap in holiday music genre, one that I’m not sure any of us were aware was there, but they did it and they did it well. Yule Wonder is an excellent CD for the holiday and one you can enjoy year round. There will be no wondering about how good it is after one listen. In fact the only thing that you will be wondering is why more people haven’t heard of Musaphonic before. This eclectic disc is definitely a must have album. Go to CD Baby and grab a copy now!

Reviewed By Andrea Guy