Meaning of "Fits & Starts" by The Decemberists

"Fits & Starts" by The Decemberists seems to explore a sense of disarray and disorder in a system or situation. The imagery of being wound tight and breaking loose conveys a feeling of tension and release, as well as a lack of control over the circumstances. The mention of the FSO (presumably an organization or authority) getting it all wrong suggests a failure in leadership or decision-making. The apparat and apparatchik reference hints at a bureaucratic or authoritarian structure that may be oppressive or malfunctioning. Overall, the song captures the frustration and instability of navigating through a world that is constantly shifting and lurching forward in an erratic manner.