Wikipedia

State Songs

State Songs is a concept album released by John Linnell in 1999. It was his 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.[3] The album was received positive reviews from critics and peaked No. 18 on the CMJ 200 chart.

State Songs
Studio album by
John Linnell
ReleasedOctober 26, 1999[1]
Recorded1994, 1999
GenrePop rock, avant-pop[2]
Length45:11
LabelRounder / Zoë
ProducerJohn Linnell
John Linnell chronology
House of Mayors
(1996)		 State Songs
(1999)

"Montana" was released as the single for the album. 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]

Recording

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State Songs originally existed as a short EP that John Linnell released through the Hello Recording Club.[5] The carousel organ is 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

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No.TitleLength
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

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  • John Linnell – vocals, accordion, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, DustBuster, guitar, organ, piano, programming, synthesizers
The Statesmen
Additional musicians
Production
  • Albert Caiati – recording
  • Patrick Dillett – mixing
  • Barbara Glauber – artwork
  • John Linnell – producer

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[1]
Robert Christgau(2-star Honorable Mention)(2-star Honorable Mention)[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 No. 18.[10]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 Matthew, Springer. "State Songs - John Linnell". Allmusic. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  2. ↑ Cury, James Oliver (December 1999). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly. 79 (7): 26. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Linnell, John (October 12, 1999). "State Songs". All Things Considered (Interview). Interviewed by Noah Adams. NPR.
  4. ↑ "Shape Vinyl Records". Erika Records. Archived from the original on May 22, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  5. ↑ Atwood, Brett (13 August 1994). "No Joke". Billboard.
  6. ↑ Hay, Carly (13 November 1999). "Popular Uprisings". Billboard.
  7. ↑ State Songs (album liner notes). John Linnell. Rounder Records. 1999.
  8. ↑ Rapa, Patricia (July 2000). "Squeeze Play". CMJ New Music Monthly.
  9. 1 2 Christgau, Robert. "State Songs". Robert Christgau. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  10. ↑ CMJ Network, Inc. (November 22, 1999). CMJ New Music Report. CMJ Network, Inc. p. 13. ISSN 0890-0795. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
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