State Songs

This article is about the album. For other uses, see List of U.S. state songs, National anthem, List of national anthems, and List of regional anthems.

State Songs is a concept album released by John Linnell (of They Might Be Giants) in 1999. It was Linnell's third solo project and first full solo album. It consists of tracks that are named after, and are at least partially inspired by, 15 of the 50 U.S. states. The album is surrealist in nature, with lyrics suggesting that there is another West Virginia inside of the state, one can drive a house to Idaho, Montana is a leg, Iowa is a witch, Oregon chases after people, and Arkansas has sunken and is replaced by a ship of its exact shape and size.^[3] The album was received positive reviews from critics and peaked #18 on the CMJ 200 chart.

State Songs
Studio album by John Linnell
Released	October 26, 1999[1]
Recorded	1994, 1999
Genre	Pop rock, avant-pop[2]
Length	45:11
Label	Rounder / Zoë
Producer	John Linnell
John Linnell chronology
House of Mayors (1996) State Songs (1999)

"Montana" was released as the single for the album. Rather than a standard 7" or 12" vinyl record, the disc was green and die-cut into the shape of the 48 contiguous states. It was pressed by Erika Records.^[4] The single also featured the non-album track "Louisiana" as the B-side. Originally, "South Carolina" was the album's single, but the track was too long for the grooves to fit in the small area between the labels and the edges of the United States.^[3] The labels were marked with no text, instead only showing silhouettes of their respective states.

Recording

State Songs originally existed as a short EP that John Linnell released through the Hello Recording Club.^[5] The album is notable for its use of the carousel organ, featured in four tracks. Linnell has stated that the organ was used to add variety among the standard human musicians. Two different band organs are featured on the album.^[6] The paper rolls for the organ were cut by Bob Stuhmer^[7] and adjusted by Linnell.

Linnell used a Gretsch accordion in recording the album.^[8]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Illinois"	1:23
2.	"The Songs of the 50 States"	2:24
3.	"West Virginia"	3:32
4.	"South Carolina"	3:46
5.	"Idaho"	2:38
6.	"Montana"	3:14
7.	"Pennsylvania"	1:02
8.	"Utah"	2:34
9.	"Arkansas"	3:27
10.	"Iowa"	2:54
11.	"Mississippi"	2:16
12.	"Maine"	2:07
13.	"Oregon"	1:49
14.	"Michigan"	1:14
15.	"New Hampshire"	2:50
16.	"Nevada"	7:58[a]
Total length:		45:11

1. The song "Nevada" is only 34 seconds long; the rest of the track is a recording of an increasingly distant marching band.

Personnel

• John Linnell – vocals, accordion, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, DustBuster, guitar, organ, piano, programming, synthesizers

The Statesmen

• Mark Donato – drums
• Mark Lerner – bass guitar
• Dan Miller – guitar
• Bob Stuhmer – carousel organ

Additional musicians

• Kate Dennis – French horn
• Brian Doherty – additional drums
• Mark Feldman – violin
• Dan Hickey – additional drums
• Jay Sherman-Godfrey – additional guitar
• Danny Weinkauf – additional bass

Production

• Albert Caiati – recording
• Patrick Dillett – mixing
• Barbara Glauber – artwork
• John Linnell – producer

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	[9]

State Songs received positive reviews from critics. Matthew Springer, writing for Allmusic, praised the album's surrealism and eclecticism.^[1] Music critic Robert Christgau cited "The Songs of the 50 States" and "New Hampshire" as highlights from the album.^[9]

The album spent four weeks on the CMJ 200 chart, peaking at #18.^[10]