Christmas Collection Vol. 1, Don't Call Me Ishmael (Droma)

Following a tip on a Christmas album, I ended up disappearing down a rabbit hole. This album, for 2023, is a CD containing 14 tunes recorded at various times over the past few years. English rockers Don't Call Me Ishmael appear to have a history with this time of year, with several past EPs and albums of holiday-themed indie rock. Meanwhile, they dropped a fresh set of tunes on the EP Ghost of Christmas Past for 2023, which is download only, as three of these four songs are on the CD -- "The Ghost of Christmas Past," "Christmas In July," and "Jaded to Merry." The fourth song, "Clementines," is described as a reimagining of their past song "It's Christmas (Let's Pretend We're Fine)," which is on the CD. Meanwhile, back on the disc, we also have "I Won't Hesitate (This Christmas)," "Big Kid at Christmas," "My Christmas (Is Better Than Yours)," "From Lapland (With Regret)," "Morning December 25," "Mary and Joseph," and covers of "White Winter Hymnal," "All Alone at Christmas," and "Pipes of Peace." Grazing the Bandcamp page will allow you to pick and choose among these songs, or collect the full set.