State Songs

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This article is about the John Linnell album "State Songs". For a list of U.S. state songs, see List of U.S. state songs. For the topic songs of nation-states, see national anthem. For the songs of nation-states, see list of national anthems and list of anthems of non-sovereign countries, regions and territories.
State Songs
John Linnell State Songs(cover).png
Studio album by John Linnell
Released October 26, 1999[1]
Recorded 1999
Genre Pop rock
Length 45:11
Label Rounder / Zoë
Producer John Linnell
John Linnell chronology
House of Mayors
(1996)House of Mayors1996		 State Songs
(1999)

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, suggesting that there is another West Virginia inside of the state, that one can drive a house to Idaho, that Montana is a leg, Iowa is a witch, Oregon is bad, and Arkansas has sunken and is to be replaced by a ship of its exact shape and size.[2]

"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.[3] 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.[2] 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.[4] 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.[5] The paper rolls for the organ were cut by Bob Stuhmer[6] and adjusted by Linnell.

Linnell used a Gretsch accordion in recording the album.[7]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 4/5 stars[1]
Robert Christgau (2-star Honorable Mention)[8]

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.[8]

The album spent four weeks on the CMJ 200 chart, peaking at #18.[9]

Track listing

  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

Personnel

The Statesmen
Additional musicians
Production

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Gallery of Shaped Vinyl. Erika Records. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  4. ↑ Atwood, Brett (13 August 1994). "No Joke". Billboard.
  5. ↑ Hay, Carly (13 November 1999). "Popular Uprisings". Billboard.
  6. ↑ State Songs (album notes). John Linnell. Rounder Records. 1999.
  7. ↑ Rapa, Patricia (July 2000). "Squeeze Play". CMJ New Music Monthly.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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