The Way to Salvation

{{Music ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web |first=Ned |last=Raggett |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0000263489|pure_url=yes}}|title='The Way to Salvation' Review |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=September 6, 2020}}

| rev7 = The Village Voice

| rev7score = A−{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Christgau |author-link=Robert Christgau |url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv991-91.php |title=King Missile: The Way to Salvation (Atlantic) |publisher=The Village Voice |date=October 1, 1991 |accessdate=September 6, 2020}}

}}

Ned Raggett of AllMusic said "The Way to Salvation is enjoyable enough but lacks a final killer touch and "having Lou Giordano on production instead of Kramer is also a bit disconcerting -- he's a great producer, of course, but the crisp focus that he brings takes away from the warmer feel of Kramer's work on the earlier records." However, the critic said "much of the core fun that King Missile brings to the table stays intact: Hall's blissfully funny lyrics and shaggy-dog stories, the group's collective hops and skips through a variety of musical styles, and a generally upbeat vibe." Trouser Press commended the "strong musical ideas caroming between Rick and Xefos" as "loosely structured soundtrackery as verse/chorus song form — are custom built for Hall."{{cite journal |first1=Richard |last1=Gehr |first2=Ira |last2=Robbins |url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/king-missile-dog-fly-religion/ |title=King Missile (Dog Fly Religion) |journal=Trouser Press |publisher=Trouser Press LLC |accessdate=September 6, 2020}} Robert Christgau commended the production and spoken word performances, saying "it isn't just the consistency of the sarcasm that distinguishes this one from Mystical Shit", "it's the way he's putting his hard-rock comedy, shaggy dog fables, and sophistical shit across."

{{Track listing

| all_lyrics = John S. Hall, except "Betrayal Takes Two" by Richard Hell

| title1 = The Way to Salvation

| music1 = {{hlist|John S. Hall|Dave Rick}}

| length1 = 2:07

| title2 = Life

| music2 = {{hlist|Hall|David Ramirez|Rick|Chris Xefos}}

| length2 = 4:04

| title3 = The Boy Who Ate Lasagna and Could Jump Over a Church

| music3 = {{hlist|Hall|Rick}}

| length3 = 1:34

| title4 = The Story of Willy

| music4 = {{hlist|Hall|Ramirez|Xefos}}

| length4 = 2:25

| title5 = Dinosaurs

| music5 = {{hlist|Hall|Rick|Xefos}}

| length5 = 3:26

| title6 = I Wish

| music6 = {{hlist|Hall|Rick}}

| length6 = 2:33

| title7 = The Indians

| music7 = Hall

| length7 = 1:41

| title8 = It's

| music8 = {{hlist|Hall|Ramirez|Rick|Xefos}}

| length8 = 5:07

| title9 = My Heart Is a Flower

| music9 = {{hlist|Hall|Rick}}

| length9 = 2:38

| title10 = Pickaxe

| music10 = {{hlist|Ramirez|Rick|Xefos}}

| length10 = 2:30

| title11 = Sex With You

| music11 = {{hlist|Hall|Rick}}

| length11 = 3:37

| title12 = Part Two

| music12 = {{hlist|Hall|Rick}}

| length12 = 2:13

| title13 = Betrayal Takes Two

| note13 = Richard Hell cover

| music13 = {{hlist|Ivan Julian|Richard Meyers}}

| length13 = 3:11

| title14 = Listen to Me

| music14 = {{hlist|Hall|Ramirez|Rick}}

| length14 = 2:30

| title15 = Come Closer

| music15 = {{hlist|Hall|Xefos}}

| length15 = 3:01

| title16 = Scotland

| music16 = Hall

| length16 = 1:10

| title17 = To Walk Among the Pigs

| music17 = {{hlist|Hall|Rick}}

| length17 = 2:55

}}

Adapted from the liner notes of The Way to Salvation.{{cite AV media notes |title=The Way to Salvation |title-link=The Way to Salvation |others=King Missile |year=1991 |type=booklet |publisher=Atlantic Records |location=New York City}}

King Missile

• John S. Hall – lead vocals, production, percussion (16)
• David Ramirez – drums, percussion, production
• Dave Rick – guitar, production
• Chris Xefos – bass guitar, keyboards, percussion, production, production coordinator, mixing

Additional performers

• Toaz Junior High School Boys' Choir – backing vocals (1, 6)

Production and design

• Greg Calbi – mastering
• Lou Giordano – production, engineering, mixing
• G.B. Irmiger – illustrations
• Matt Lane – assistant mixing
• Macioce – photography
• Mighty Management – management
• Marc Nathan – executive-producer
• Carl Plaster – assistant engineering
• Jodi Rovin – art direction

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|kingmissile.com}}
• {{Discogs master |master=139932 |name=The Way to Salvation |type=album}}
• [https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-way-to-salvation/256608660 The Way to Salvation] at iTunes

{{King Missile}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Way To Salvation, The}}

Category:King Missile albums

Category:Atlantic Records albums

Category:1991 albums

Category:Albums produced by Lou Giordano