"[2] Musically, Motor-Cycle is a synthesis of stream of consciousness confessional poetry, R&B-infused vocals and a "sometimes satiric mélange of rock, jazz, blues and soul.

[6] On an album of "restlessly epic roadhouse suites,"[7] Golden uses the story-based format, featuring a cast of archetypal characters while playing the part of "emcee" of her own "aberrant cabaret.

"[4] Motor-Cycle was listed among the most influential albums of the era by The New York Times music critic Nat Hentoff,[8] who said in 1970, "It's an extraordinary evocation of a life-style... and one girl's plunge into and out of it.

[11] In a retrospective review, music critic Path of Tiny Mix Tapes said how Motor-Cycle plays like a musical, transporting the listener to the late '60s underground: "Golden gets help on Motor-Cycle from an impeccably arranged Atlantic Records session band... with a flawless, swinging rhythm team.

Then, at key moments, the curtain goes up and they've got rows of saxes, trumpets, vibes... and you begin to realize that this is not the same song and dance... it's as if The Velvet Underground recorded for Motown.