In light of the 10 year anniversary of Up in Flames, we celebrate the myriad influences and inspirations that went into creating Dan Snaiths inimitable sophomore album for Caribou (originally released under Manitoba). From free jazz to 60s psych, hip-hop to dance music, it truly takes a village to raise a child in this case, as Up in Flames is fostered by decades’ worth of affluent material.
A record that dared to be inventive and overwhelming, a cultured and measured instruction on the possibility of charming psychedelic pop music, Up in Flames will receive a proper reissue next month on Record Store Day in celebration. Revisit the album below, then dissect its DNA.
Steve Reich
Section IX – The orchestration and production work that went into the drum samples and live instrumentation on Up in Flames are reminiscent of Steve Reichs Music for 18 Musicians. Precise but never plotting, its measured out in a way that still feels natural, a formula that Bijoux owes its charm to.
Boards of Canada
Sixtyten – Snaiths early work, Up in Flames included, cant go mentioned without the obligatory Boards of Canada comparison. But for good reason, as the two groups borrow a great deal from the IDM genre, a now gentrifried but then important portion of electronic music that worked to engage the listeners mind more than their feet. While its maybe not as obvious as some of Snaiths other albums and projects, theres no doubt Music Has The Right To Children was on repeat over Snaiths stereo.