John Linnell, one of the two Johns out of Brooklyn-based band They Might Be Giants, released his solo debut (and only solo release to this day) State Songs in the autumn of 1999. Fifteen of the songs on there are named after various states of the US but in no way are about them in any shape or form. He actually used the concept as a way to avoid coming up with actual titles for songs, and with that he found himself with 50 titles to choose from.

‘Illinois’ is the album opener. There are no lyrics on it. It is purely instrumental. The interesting thing here is that only instrument on here is a carousel organ, a piece of apparatus that you would rarely find on any other commercial album but here is present on about five tracks. In ‘Illinois’ it is specifically a Wurlitzer 103 Band Organ. Its paper roll was cut and punched by a Mr. Bob Stuhmer and the take as you hear it on the album was recorded at his home.

The instrumental sets off the album’s tone very well. It’s very triumphant and somewhat optimistic in its delivery and the melodies here are very infectious. I never thought a carousel organ could build such a sense of anticipation. The song ends and transitions into the following track but that’s for a day years away from now.