It's Not Like Christmas, various artists (Izumi)

This has been lurking in my iTunes master playlist for a while now, so it's way past time we get it out there for the folks. From 2006, this British compilation is your basic alternative rock holiday playlist featuring artists from the roster of Izumi Records. It's pretty enjoyable all the way through. Highlights include the Duels' "Do You See What I See," a fairly straight take with a slightly low-budget vibe; Iain Archer's acoustic folk take on "Little Drummer Boy"; the Late Greats' pop-rock take on "Sleigh Ride"; and Ingo Starr Cruisers' version of Low's "Just Like Christmas," a little more exuberant (but not too much more) than the original. Amusement Parks on Fire call in strings to support their ballad "The Day It Snowed," and David Ford strikes twice, once with his nicely jaundiced shuffle "Have Yourself a Bitter Little Christmas" and again as songwriter on Duke Special's ballad "Of Whoredom and Falconry." Can't quite associate the title to the song, but never fear, it's a holiday tune. Emmy the Great shakes some of the cellblock doldrums out of John Prine's "Christmas in Prison," and El Perro Del Mar go to the Phil Spector well for the sound of their original "Oh! What a Christmas." And a crowd of Izumi stalwarts convene under the excellent parody name The Joseph and Mary Chain to cover "Twelve Days of Christmas." Oh, and proceeds benefit the charity Shelter.