I'm thinking it's about the evolution of the band after Curtis' death--the struggle to find their direction, the experiences with recording Movement (which is one of the most uneasy albums I've ever heard, much as I love it for that very reason), maybe even Barney's struggle to write lyrics and find his own voice. "Sound formed in a vacuum" might refer to the process of recording in a studio vs. playing live.
I'm thinking it's about the evolution of the band after Curtis' death--the struggle to find their direction, the experiences with recording Movement (which is one of the most uneasy albums I've ever heard, much as I love it for that very reason), maybe even Barney's struggle to write lyrics and find his own voice. "Sound formed in a vacuum" might refer to the process of recording in a studio vs. playing live.