The Parable of Arable Land is the first studio album by the Red Crayola (also known as Red Krayola) which features free improvised pieces dubbed "Free Form Freak-Out" as well as notable instrumental cameos by label mate and 13th Floor Elevators frontman Roky Erickson. The album's title was coined by bassist Steve Cunningham. The album was considered psychedelic music when it was introduced, but later assessments describe it as a forerunner to avant/noise rock. With this album as introduction, Ritchie Unterberger assessed the band as "a precursor to industrial rock".