The Way to Salvation

1991 studio album by King Missile

Studio album by

King Missile

Released

April 16, 1991 (1991-04-16)

Recorded

January 1991 (1991-01)

Studio

Fort Apache Studios
(Cambridge, New York)

Genre

Alternative rock
comedy rock

Length

46:44

Label

Atlantic

Producer

Lou Giordano
John S. Hall
David Ramirez
Dave Rick
Chris Xefos

King Missile chronology

Mystical Shit
(1990)

The Way to Salvation
(1991)

Happy Hour
(1992)

The Way to Salvation is the fourth studio album by experimental music band King Missile, released on April 16, 1991, by Atlantic Records.^[1]^[2] The band's previous drummer Steve Dansiger parted from the band before recording began and his position was filled by Hypnolovewheel drummer David Ramirez.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[3]
The Village Voice	A−^[4]

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."^[5] 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."^[4]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by John S. Hall, except "Betrayal Takes Two" by Richard Hell

No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"The Way to Salvation"	John S. Hall Dave Rick	2:07
2.	"Life"	Hall David Ramirez Rick Chris Xefos	4:04
3.	"The Boy Who Ate Lasagna and Could Jump Over a Church"	Hall Rick	1:34
4.	"The Story of Willy"	Hall Ramirez Xefos	2:25
5.	"Dinosaurs"	Hall Rick Xefos	3:26
6.	"I Wish"	Hall Rick	2:33
7.	"The Indians"	Hall	1:41
8.	"It's"	Hall Ramirez Rick Xefos	5:07
9.	"My Heart Is a Flower"	Hall Rick	2:38
10.	"Pickaxe"	Ramirez Rick Xefos	2:30
11.	"Sex With You"	Hall Rick	3:37
12.	"Part Two"	Hall Rick	2:13
13.	"Betrayal Takes Two" (Richard Hell cover)	Ivan Julian Richard Meyers	3:11
14.	"Listen to Me"	Hall Ramirez Rick	2:30
15.	"Come Closer"	Hall Xefos	3:01
16.	"Scotland"	Hall	1:10
17.	"To Walk Among the Pigs"	Hall Rick	2:55

Personnel

Adapted from the liner notes of The Way to Salvation.^[6]

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

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
United States	1991	Atlantic	CD, LP	7567-82208
Germany	1991	Atlantic	CD, LP	7567-82208

References

^ Thompson, David (November 1, 2000). Gravy. Alternative Rock: Third Ear – The Essential Listening Companion. Miller Freeman, Inc. p. 784. ISBN 9780879306076. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
^ Blum, Joshua; Holman, Bob; Pellington, Mark (March 30, 1996). John S. Hall. United States of Poetry. Harry N. Abrams. p. 171. ISBN 9780810939271. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
^ Raggett, Ned. "'The Way to Salvation' Review". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Christgau, Robert (October 1, 1991). "King Missile: The Way to Salvation (Atlantic)". The Village Voice. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
^ Gehr, Richard; Robbins, Ira. "King Missile (Dog Fly Religion)". Trouser Press. Trouser Press LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
^ The Way to Salvation (booklet). King Missile. New York City: Atlantic Records. 1991.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)