I've noticed a bunch of 'tributes' to other bands and songs

Saucer-Like reminds me of the Byrds' Eight Miles High
Pink Stem has guitar chords like the Who's Amazing Journey
and toward the end of Dripping Dream sounds like Genesis from Trick of the Tail

Honestly, I don't think I would have truly appreciated this connection unless someone pointed it out to me.

Very interesting indeed.

yeah, Creedence...
Bad Moon Rising, etc.

bad moon rising cites the high hopes of the late sixties and juxtaposes them with the manson family and the reagan administration paranoia. kinda like ccr through a bunch of shitty guitar fx pedals running backwards. but you can feel a rememberance of a more pure spirit in that record.
there are some pieces on a thousand leaves that you could relate to ccr if you really wanted to.