13. Nothing Is Real (3:52)

Betterthanyourkids · Post by **Betterthanyourkids** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 1:19 am

Don't get why people are so damn upset about the word "Jesus" in a BoC song. I'm a Christian, and I don't really understand why any other Christians would be offended IMO. Tommorow's Harvest obviously isn't about religion, or at least isn't a central theme of it. The Sandison bros. are atheists, or some other type of freethinkers, so the word 'Jesus' probably doesn't mean much to them, so they have no problem throwing it into a song. The word wasn't used in bashing or promoting religion; is was a vocal sample, and a distorted one at that, so what's all the fuss about? Yes, BoC looks at and criticizes a lot of themes in their music, and sometimes religion is one of them. Doesn't mean they hate organized religion, doesn't mean they think you're dumber for beliving. Actually, that'd be quite rude and nonsensical if they did. Jesus, though a very important and influential religious figure, is in this song mentioned. Nothing to it.

Helios · Post by **Helios** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 2:46 am

Betterthanyourkids wrote:Don't get why people are so damn upset about the word "Jesus" in a BoC song. I'm a Christian, and I don't really understand why any other Christians would be offended IMO. Tommorow's Harvest obviously isn't about religion, or at least isn't a central theme of it. The Sandison bros. are atheists, or some other type of freethinkers, so the word 'Jesus' probably doesn't mean much to them, so they have no problem throwing it into a song. The word wasn't used in bashing or promoting religion; is was a vocal sample, and a distorted one at that, so what's all the fuss about? Yes, BoC looks at and criticizes a lot of themes in their music, and sometimes religion is one of them. Doesn't mean they hate organized religion, doesn't mean they think you're dumber for beliving. Actually, that'd be quite rude and nonsensical if they did. Jesus, though a very important and influential religious figure, is in this song mentioned. Nothing to it.

Haven't read the rest of the thread, but isn't the line "Jesus was a human being" (as in, "just" a plain old human, like everyone else)? And in a track called "Nothing Is Real". I mean it's perfectly understandable why someone would find that offensive.

Radiobuzz · Post by **Radiobuzz** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:09 am

Helios wrote:Haven't read the rest of the thread, but isn't the line "Jesus was a human being" (as in, "just" a plain old human, like everyone else)? And in a track called "Nothing Is Real". I mean it's perfectly understandable why someone would find that offensive.

Doesn't it says "Jesus, was it you indeed?" This argument is pointless.

Helios · Post by **Helios** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:14 am

Radiobuzz wrote:
Helios wrote:Haven't read the rest of the thread, but isn't the line "Jesus was a human being" (as in, "just" a plain old human, like everyone else)? And in a track called "Nothing Is Real". I mean it's perfectly understandable why someone would find that offensive.
Doesn't it says "Jesus, was it you indeed?" This argument is pointless.

Beats me, I thought it was confirmed to be so. Oh well.

Goiter Sanchez · Post by **Goiter Sanchez** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:43 am

I caught myself walking around quoting the "Jesus..." vocal sample today with the same intonation. They really nailed the uneasy psychedelia vibes with this track... So much going on in here!

ButterBalls69 · Post by **ButterBalls69** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 4:52 am

blankleader wrote:

everythingyoudoisorange · Sun Jul 14, 2013 5:05 am

This is nothing new: BoC has always been skeptical of religion, no?

Case in point: 'From One Source All Things Depend'

lankydoom · Post by **lankydoom** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 6:06 am

Wheeljack wrote:It may sound crazy, but when peeling this track back I swear that I hear samples from the original Transformers cartoon. The lazer blasts are highly audible, but I think that there are some musical samples in there as well.

All this being said, I'm a huge G1 Transformers fan, so like a lot of BoC I'm likely projecting and perceiving what I want to perceive

NOW..This is something I was thinking too. I can hear OG transformers for sure.

The laser blasts and the washy chime sounding bits. The vocal sample almost has a soundwave feel to it, albeit way more distorted and broken.

Scories · Post by **Scories** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 6:13 am

Actually, I've reconsidered my personnal interpretation of the meaning of the hidden message and I no longer think it is about desillusion with Christianity (otherwise, it'd be hitting the wrong nail) but desillusion with the idea of eternal life. That would likely fit with their "celebration of the idea of collapse". Therefore, that would also explain the happy mood of this song.

squid · Post by **squid** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 6:19 am

everythingyoudoisorange wrote:This is nothing new: BoC has always been skeptical of religion, no?

Case in point: 'From One Source All Things Depend'

Hmm, I'm not sure that track is supposed to be cynical or sinister. The second half where all the kids talk about who they think God is, I find really sweet. A great way to end such a twisted, dark album like Geoggadi, with a little glimpse of innocent, hopeful children.

I'm not entirely convinced Nothing Is Real is anti-religious, or anti-christian either. BoC use lots of samples in their work, doesn't mean they believe or agree with what the sample says, just they find it interesting and it works with the song, perhaps adding a tone or atmosphere. In fact, in the interview they did with the Guardian that talked about why religion and mysticism are still thriving, their answer showed that they understand why people are attracted to it. How it's human nature, needing a purpose, wanting to have hope, etc. So I definitely don't think the brothers are against belief/faith.

Now anti-organised religion? I find that to be a different matter. Many churches and religious organisations abuse their power, are greedy, corrupt, hypocritical and take advantage of their followers, using fear to keep a hold on them. A lot of the time, they even go against what is written in their own holy book (whatever that may be) and if anyone calls them out for it, they either deal harshly with that person or use excuses, twist their teachings, etc. So, even though I myself am a person of faith, I would completely agree with the brothers if it turns out they were disgusted/disillusioned with most organized religion.

aperture · Post by **aperture** » Sun Jul 14, 2013 11:44 am

Scories wrote:Actually, I've reconsidered my personnal interpretation of the meaning of the hidden message and I no longer think it is about desillusion with Christianity (otherwise, it'd be hitting the wrong nail) but desillusion with the idea of eternal life.

This is more or less what I get from it, and not just from the song but its placement prior to Sundown. I find it really haunting, like something that would run through my mind after a funeral. I've started seeing Uritual as a burial scene, following some parting knowledge or realization from Infinities. At this point in the narrative, we've said goodbye to all things thought to be permanent and maybe have applied those feelings to the afterlife next. A nihilist anthem, from someone who saw many suffer for nothing. Maybe someone who would trade those promises of eternal life for better choices made here where what we do has tangible effects. A general disillusionment on a long walk back from.. something. On to the sun setting, not just on this day but sunset on a large chapter of history.

I really enjoy the flow of these more reflective chapters in the story. I've listened maybe fifteen times through it now and feel like I have about eighty percent of a story running alongside the soundtrack.

egbdf · Post by **egbdf** » Tue Jul 16, 2013 5:38 am

I have no idea if it should be offensive to Christians, but if it is, then too bad. They have no obligation not to offend Christians.

Stickyfingers72 · Post by **Stickyfingers72** » Tue Jul 16, 2013 7:15 am

Apologies if this has been mentioned already but anybody else hear what sounds like computer code sitting in the background from 29 seconds onwards?

d e n · Post by **d e n** » Tue Jul 16, 2013 10:23 am

egbdf wrote:I have no idea if it should be offensive to Christians, but if it is, then too bad. They have no obligation not to offend Christians.

yeah exactly,

i understand living with religion as a kind of compass... that is totally beautiful

however the fact is there are so many people in this world who are attracted to christianity because it promises them "something" after this life, whatever this all is.

that is some B.S and confuses symbols with facts and is an insane way to live. this is a kind of christian culture that, like most culture today, totally interferes with reason and health and honest interpretation.

it blows my mind how so many people can't make this distinction. and i grew up growing to church and everything.

Headphase · Post by **Headphase** » Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:10 pm

d e n wrote:
egbdf wrote:I have no idea if it should be offensive to Christians, but if it is, then too bad. They have no obligation not to offend Christians.
yeah exactly,

i understand living with religion as a kind of compass... that is totally beautiful

however the fact is there are so many people in this world who are attracted to christianity because it promises them "something" after this life, whatever this all is.

that is some B.S and confuses symbols with facts and is an insane way to live. this is a kind of christian culture that, like most culture today, totally interferes with reason and health and honest interpretation.

it blows my mind how so many people can't make this distinction. and i grew up growing to church and everything.

It's not to offend Christians. The quote is a man asking Jesus why his prayers aren't answered. It's basically a song about a man who has lost faith in life.

d e n · Post by **d e n** » Tue Jul 16, 2013 10:36 pm

i think it's obvious that BoC wasn't setting out to offend christians... just saying they have no obligations to adhere to any preconceived notions.

Fireal420 · Post by **Fireal420** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 3:52 am

i think its kind of sad that one of the most beautiful tracks i've ever heard is being dumbed down into a discussion about whether or not any people or religions should be offended.

the meaning of the song is to be found within yourself by listening to the music, not by picking apart one vocal sample in the track.

anyway. nothing is real, is without a doubt, one of the best boc tracks ever. everytime i hear the track i begin to feel melancholy and nostalgic.

mechanismj · Post by **mechanismj** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 4:45 am

Fireal420 wrote:i think its kind of sad that one of the most beautiful tracks i've ever heard is being dumbed down into a discussion about whether or not any people or religions should be offended.

the meaning of the song is to be found within yourself by listening to the music, not by picking apart one vocal sample in the track.

anyway. nothing is real, is without a doubt, one of the best boc tracks ever. everytime i hear the track i begin to feel melancholy and nostalgic.

Amen!

Negamuse · Post by **Negamuse** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:33 am

Fireal420 wrote:i think its kind of sad that one of the most beautiful tracks i've ever heard is being dumbed down into a discussion about whether or not any people or religions should be offended.

the meaning of the song is to be found within yourself by listening to the music, not by picking apart one vocal sample in the track.

anyway. nothing is real, is without a doubt, one of the best boc tracks ever. everytime i hear the track i begin to feel melancholy and nostalgic.

Amen. "Listen" (BoC, Reach For The Dead, 2013)

paultomba · Post by **paultomba** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 10:04 am

Yeah, it's musical freedom, not religion.

The brothers Sandison never struck me as the type of people who catered for imbeciles who waste their living lives contemplating what non-proven magical land your soul goes to when you die

Don't waste your living lives with the greedy expectation that you get a second life you brainwashed idiots.