 The album draws from a number of American popular music genres, including bluegrass, ragtime, and show tunes, and frames classical styles in the context of 1960s pop music.The material utilizes unconventional song structures, and lyrically explores American history and culture, reflecting Parks' history working in both the film and music industries of Southern California.Upon its release, "Song Cycle" was largely acclaimed by critics despite lukewarm sales, and later gained status as a cult album.