The Way to Salvation

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]

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

• Official website
• The Way to Salvation at Discogs (list of releases)
• The Way to Salvation at iTunes