i can definitely appreciate the existential angst that this record brings. i think it would have walloped me had i not heard “mladic” live in march 2011 at the metro in chicago (i’ve been listening to a soundboard bootleg of that show back when “mladic” was called “albanian”). seeing that song performed live was a pretty profound experience, but it got quickly overshadowed by following it up with “9-15-00” and then “static: chart #3 / world police and friendly fire.” that entire show was incredible. in any case, i dig your article. i can definitely understand and appreciate how “‘allelujah! don’t bend! ascend!” would be the soundtrack to a very rough time in one’s life the same way that “lift yr. skinny fists like antennas to heaven” was the soundtrack to a very pivotal moment in my life. if you want to keep your sanity for the remainder of the year, i’d recommend staying away from “( )” by sigur rós…that album does me in every time.