In a State

You expect silliness from They Might Be Giants, the veteran pop-rockers from Brooklyn who bestowed on us such instantly hummable ditties as “Don’t Let’s Start,” “Particle Man,” and “Birdhouse in Your Soul.”

Now, singer-songwriter-instrumentalist John Linnell--one-half of the wacky duo--has just released his first solo album, “State Songs” (Rounder/Zoe Records).

If you thought Linnell would take this opportunity to break from TMBG’s playful mold and perhaps plunge into some deeper, thought-provoking waters, think again.

Linnell, who plays Sunday with his three-piece band at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, has no desire to tackle the burning issues of the day.

The tracks on “State Songs” are named after 15 of our states, except for one tune called “Songs of the 50 States.”

“I wanted to make a record with some kind of coherence, something that wasn’t just a rock singer-songwriter thing--or at least not appear to be just that,” Linnell said recently by phone before a TMBG gig in Amherst, Mass.

“I started writing these songs about 12 years ago for [TMBG’s] ‘Lincoln’ record. I came up with, like, 50 new songs, and at the time I had no idea if they’d really be songs about states, or anything referring to states.

“Gradually, though, I pared them down and got a sense of what I was doing. I was creating songs with states as their names that weren’t really about states. But they are anthems.”

While thematically tight, “State Songs” offers a musically varied collection. Linnell and a dozen supporting musicians create a mix of rock, psychedelia, samba and synth pop, with the rarely heard band--or carousel--organ playing a key role in four selections.

One of these, “New Hampshire,” features a humongous Wurlitzer 165, with 256 pipes, percussion and glockenspiel.

As a kid, Linnell was alarmed and fascinated by the band organ inside the carousel at Central Park. He remembers peeking into its guts and seeing the hammers bashing against the bass drums and snare.

Even though these organs are difficult to keep in tune and offer a limited range--no more than six notes--Linnell says he was determined to capture their unique qualities on his solo album. “For a long time, I’ve been wanting to write music for the carousel organ in Central Park,” he said.

But the park officials were very particular about providing Linnell access to it. After learning about all the fees, forms and permits he also found that the carousel organ could only produce three notes.

So he wound up using a six-note Wurlitzer in Glen Echo Park, Md., and a privately owned Wurlitzer in Long Island.

“I’ve actually used that one in concert in New York, but I can’t take it on the road. It’s not insured . . . and it probably costs more than a small house.”

With Linnell’s solo project and tour has come speculation that TMBG is on hiatus, in limbo or even ready to break up.

TMBG--which also includes singer-songwriter-guitarist John Flansburgh--is busier than ever, Linnell said.

“Dr. Evil,” the opening theme for “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” was composed by the Giants.

And Flansburgh and Linnell are writing new material for several TV shows and specials, including the Fox sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle,” Disney Home Video’s forthcoming sequel to “Peter Pan” and Comedy Central’s “The Jon Stewart Millennium Special.”

Linnell says his solo record was a long time coming. “It’s a nice ego ride being able to say, ‘This is my album . . . I wrote and produced it,’ ” he said. “But I prefer working in They Might Be Giants because it’s less work. I’m too lazy to do it all myself.”

BE THERE

John Linnell & the Statesmen play Sunday at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 8 p.m. $15-$17. (949) 496-8930. Also Monday at the Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 p.m. $15 (310) 276-6168. Tuesday’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” program, 9 a.m.-noon on KCRW-FM (89.9), will feature a live performance and interview with John Linnell.