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This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

The Western States Motel's Top Ten of 2008

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Picture via the Western States Motel's Myspace

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.

The Western States Motel

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Black Keys - Attack And Release
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Blitzen Trapper - Furr
TV On The Radio - Dear Science
Ratatat - LP3
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Self Titled Reissue
Brightblack Morning Light - Motion To Rejoin
Happy Hollows - Imaginary EP
Dr. Dog - Fate
Tobacco - Fucked Up Friends

The Western States Motel - "Oh World"

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This last year LAist's Molly Bergen not only saw the band perform, but interviewed them as well.

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