206. Release vs. Last Exit

[PHATJ]

Release is the best song. The BEST.

[Anders]

Release

[CitizenDick]

Last exit is super awesome. It might be my favorite song on Vitalogy. It’s definitely one of my favorites. I voted for Release though because when I was a kid and my friend introduced me to Pearl Jam that was the song that we loved together the most I think. The memories are from long ago but the feelings are still just underneath the skin.

[warehouse]

This is impossible!!!!

When in doubt, vote Dave A

I don't care about Dave A. What else you got?

5/4 time signature?

overrated

[epilogue]

Just put on release to double check ....

Even the first few notes hit me in the gut.

Fuck. I know how incredible this song is. I know it in my bones and yet i still sometimes take it for granted.

Last Exit is a monster of a song but Release is everything. Ed's voice. The lyrics. The emotion.

Pearl Jam were so fucking good at building these songs from nothing. 1 key. Jam. No changes. Building off Ed's voice and lyrics.

Release.

You just can't argue with this. I'm changing my vote to Release.

[wease]

This was, perhaps, the toughest matchup of the tourney for me so far. I keep going back and forth. I decided to base my vote on which one I’m more likely to start playing on guitar when I’m just sitting around playing. And that’s definitely Release.

And Joe changed his vote.

[Thurman Murman]

Release...however both songs are absolute favorites.

[epilogue]

This was, perhaps, the toughest matchup of the tourney for me so far. I keep going back and forth. I decided to base my vote on which one I’m more likely to start playing on guitar when I’m just sitting around playing. And that’s definitely Release.

And Joe changed his vote.

Both of these songs are reasons why I'm head over heels in love with this band. It's an impossible choice.

Also, I didn't know you played guitar.

[Kevin Davis]

"Release" is often transcendent in performance, and it's one of the few Ten songs that Eddie seems to consistently connect with in a way that hasn't changed or evolved since 1991 -- unlike many of those songs that have inadvertently evolved into acts of communion with the audience, or just feel flat-out overwrought now, "Release" always feels capable of meeting Eddie in whatever emotional space he's in at the time. After "Oceans" it's probably my favorite song on Ten.

I think "Last Exit" is a better piece of music though. As ferociously as the song rocks, it's easy to underrate how sophisticated it is melodically -- there was one of those "String Quartet Tribute to Pearl Jam" albums that came out back in the early 2000's, and while most of the performances were rote and unimaginative, their interpretation of "Last Exit" really bowled me over, not because it was an especially compelling performance but because it really highlighted elements of the song that Pearl Jam's version doesn't. But ever since then, I've had an even more nuanced appreciation for the song, which was one of my formative PJ experiences and deeply special to me anyway.

[wease]

This was, perhaps, the toughest matchup of the tourney for me so far. I keep going back and forth. I decided to base my vote on which one I’m more likely to start playing on guitar when I’m just sitting around playing. And that’s definitely Release.

And Joe changed his vote.

Both of these songs are reasons why I'm head over heels in love with this band. It's an impossible choice.

Also, I didn't know you played guitar.

I’ve been trying to get Strat to jam for years

[stip]

"Release" is often transcendent in performance, and it's one of the few Ten songs that Eddie seems to consistently connect with in a way that hasn't changed or evolved since 1991 -- unlike many of those songs that have inadvertently evolved into acts of communion with the audience, or just feel flat-out overwrought now, "Release" always feels able of meeting Eddie in whatever emotional space he's in at the time. After "Oceans" it's probably my favorite song on Ten.

I think "Last Exit" is a better piece of music though. As ferociously as the song rocks, it's easy to underrate how sophisticated it is melodically -- there was one of those "String Quartet Tribute to Pearl Jam" albums that came out back in the early 2000's, and while most of the performances were rote and unimaginative, their interpretation of "Last Exit" really bowled me over, not because it was an especially compelling performance but because it really highlighted elements of the song that Pearl Jam's version doesn't. But ever since then, I've had an even more nuanced appreciation for the song, which was one of my formative PJ experiences and deeply special to me anyway.

I love that last exit performance. Only worst while thing on this album

[evenslow]

Hi guys!

Honestly my two favorite Pearl Jam songs, for completely different reasons.

Release is #1 basically b/c of what Strat said.

Either is a fine winner though.

[Higgs]

Release is one of a handful of songs that will almost always bring out an emotional reaction in me.

I know I'm far more prone to tears as I'm aging, playing Release is one almost certain way to get me to tear up, at least a little.

It's everything music should be.

[VinylGuy]

yeah, There is something about that guitar at the start...those chords, the bass..you are entering into a complete experience.

Its such a powerful song.

[PHATJ]

I love Release so much.