The album expands upon the trend set from the group's debut: including interpretations of both traditional and contemporary folk standards, with an increased emphasis on the latter.

Recorded in late 1963 at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, the album had a few traditional arrangements, but consisted largely of songs composed by the band's contemporaries in the folk scene.

[3] Some musical artists covered on the album also had their material appear on The Modern Folk Quartet, including the Kingston Trio and Bob Gibson.

The Modern Folk Quartet was also one of the earliest groups to cover material by singer-songwriter Phil Ochs, with the album including their take on his adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Bells".

The Modern Folk Quartet relocated to Greenwich Village; however—aside for a few non-LP singles—never recorded again, which is credited to a heavy touring schedule.