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Critic's Review
Heather Phares, All Music Guide
After a three-year drought of Dimension 5 releases, Bruce Haack, Esther Nelson and Ted Pandel returned in 1968 with The Way Out Record for Children. This album found the trio edging toward the acid rock-influenced direction they explored on later releases like Electric Lucifer, but also included activity and story songs like the ones on the Dance, Sing and Listen series.
As with those records, The Way Out Record for Children features an "Introduction" to the Dimension 5 gang, and movement songs like "Medieval Dancing." "School for Robots," an ear-body coordination game, features robotic vocals created by Haack speaking in a monotone and tapping his Adam's apple; this low-budget innovation is just another manifestation of his practical but innovative approach. The song also reflects Haack's silly sense of humor in puns like "Greetings, fellow robots. I hope oil goes well with you... Here is your robot music. Do not rust until you can dance to it." Electronic experimentation is apparent on the instrumental "Rubberbands," which mixes a bouncy, almost random synth melody with the elastic "boing" of a Jew's harp. The Way Out Record also features artwork by Haack's friend and manager Chris Kachulis, who contributes vocals on a few songs as well.
As with those records, The Way Out Record for Children features an "Introduction" to the Dimension 5 gang, and movement songs like "Medieval Dancing." "School for Robots," an ear-body coordination game, features robotic vocals created by Haack speaking in a monotone and tapping his Adam's apple; this low-budget innovation is just another manifestation of his practical but innovative approach. The song also reflects Haack's silly sense of humor in puns like "Greetings, fellow robots. I hope oil goes well with you... Here is your robot music. Do not rust until you can dance to it." Electronic experimentation is apparent on the instrumental "Rubberbands," which mixes a bouncy, almost random synth melody with the elastic "boing" of a Jew's harp. The Way Out Record also features artwork by Haack's friend and manager Chris Kachulis, who contributes vocals on a few songs as well.
