What makes Dead City Radio by William S. Burroughs notable?

This album is notable for its experimental nature and the way it extends Burroughs' literary influence into the realm of audio, influencing future generations of performance artists and musicians. The critical reception highlighted its boldness in structure and content, solidifying Burroughs' status as a pioneer in multimedia art. By 1990, William S. Burroughs was an established figure in avant-garde literature and culture, having gained notoriety through works like Naked Lunch. 'Dead City Radio' marked his return to audio art after a decade, showcasing his unique style of blending prose with soundscapes, positioning it as a significant work during his later career phase.

How many songs are on Dead City Radio?

Dead City Radio has 17 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Dead City Radio

William S. Burroughs · 1990

51 min · 17 tracks

A surreal blend of spoken word and fragmented storytelling that challenges traditional narrative structures with a haunting ambiance.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Naked Lunch Excerpts ('You Got Any Eggs For Fats ?') / Dinner Conversation ('The Snakes') — This track encapsulates Burroughs' signature cut-up technique, juxtaposing disjointed narratives that evoke the surrealism of his literary work while leveraging sound to create an immersive experience.
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A Thanksgiving Prayer — In this track, Burroughs delivers a poignant reflection on societal norms and hypocrisy, using biting satire that resonates with listeners through its stark honesty.
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Apocalypse — This lengthy piece distills Burroughs' themes of destruction and rebirth into a compelling audio narrative, blending ominous tones with evocative language to provoke deep thought.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 William's Welcome ("What Are You Here For ?") 2:03
2 A Thanksgiving Prayer 2:22
3 Naked Lunch Excerpts ("You Got Any Eggs For Fats ?") / Dinner Conversation ("The Snakes") 7:16
4 Ah Pook The Destroyer / Brion Gysin's All-Purpose Bedtime Story 2:46
5 After-Dinner Conversation ("An Atrocious Conceit") / Where He Was Going 11:40
6 Kill The Badger ! 2:42
7 A New Standard By Which To Measure Infamy 1:47
8 The Sermon On The Mount 1 ("WSB Reads The Good Book") 1:30
9 No More Stalins, No More Hitlers 1:00
10 The Sermon On The Mount 2 1:22
11 Scandal At The Jungle Hiltons 1:41
12 The Sermon On The Mount 3 1:23
13 Love Your Enemies 1:13
14 Dr. Benway's House 0:40
15 Apocalypse 9:05
16 The Lord's Prayer 0:45
17 Ich Bin Von Kopf Bis Fuss Auf Liebe Eingestellt ("Falling In Love Again") 2:30

What to play next

Listen next

Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales

1993

Go back to

Call Me Burroughs

1965

Full William S. Burroughs discography Artists like William S. Burroughs

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