Listen Up: December Smash Tracks

December’s playlist is made up of (A) artists performing shows in the LA area this month, (B) artists releasing new albums this month and (C) artists I think you should be listening to just because…well, I think you should. Want dates & details? See ‘em after the jump.

1. Yeasayer‘s new single “Ambling Alp” can be downloaded for FREE. Just go here.

2. The Bravery @ Gibson Amphitheatre w/ White Rabbits, Metric, Cage the Elephant, Slightly Stoopid, Vampire Weekend and more–part of The KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas Concert (Sun 12/13).

3. Foreign Born @ Spaceland (Fri 12/18).

4. Animal Collective coming out with a new EP of five new songs; look out.

5. The Rural Alberta Advantage @ Bootleg Theatre (Tues 12/15).

6. The Deadly Syndrome @ El Rey w/ The Pity Party, eskimohunter, Signals, 400 Blows and more–part of The 3rd Annual Christmas Sweater Festival (Sat 12/19).

7. Taken By Trees…from Sweden.

8. Grouper…from Portland.

9. The Middle East…from Australia (and not the Middle East).

10. Bon Iver AND St. Vincent??!?..how could I resist? Regardless of how you feel about the New Moon phenomenon–the OST is amazing.

11. Ola Podrida…from Austin.

12. Fink @ Spaceland (Fri 12/4)…from England.

13. Deer Tick coming out with a new album titled Born On Flag Day; look out for it.

14. Aimee Mann @ Largo (Sun 12/13 & Mon 12/14).

15. The Cranberries @ Club Nokia (Fri 12/4).

16. Weezer…have you seen the Weezer Snuggies?? Genius.

17. White Rabbits @ Gibson Amphitheatre w/ The Bravery, Metric, Cage the Elephant, Slightly Stoopid, Vampire Weekend and more–part of The KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas Concert (Sun 12/13).

18. Lady Gaga & Kid Cudi @ Nokia Theatre (Mon 12/21, Tues 12/22, & Wed 12/23).

19. Kid Cudi again.

20. Destructo @ The Palladium w/ Boys Noize (Thus 12/31).