Red Mosquito

Immortality vs. Release

This is a fantastic final match, and I'm really not sure how I'm going to vote. My two favorite closers, on my first and third favorite records of all time (maybe even one and two at this point). Both meditative, aspirational songs that try to rise above the darker moments on their respective records. Both achingly beautiful. There is a confidence, a certainty, to Release, that isn't there in the more tentative Immortality. Immortality is the more sophisticated song, but Release's innocence is part of its power.

Need to give these both a listen.

"I'll ride the wave where it takes me." "I'll wait up in the dark, for you to speak to me". "Release Me." These are just such immensely powerful moments, as is Eddie's primal, mournful howl that tries to hard to cross an impossible distance.

Like Alive, the core elements of this song have been repeated many, many times, but probably never done this well.



Okay, onto Immortality.

Release by a mile for me.

I think, musically, Immortality may be my favorite 'atmospheric' piece in the catalog. Excellent solos and fills by Mike. And Eddie is giving an anti-Release performance, his voice offering so much without ever veering into theatrics. It manages to be understated while sacrificing nothing.

Not by a mile, but yeah, in 2022 it is Release.


Plus if Release advances I believe I'll be able to back it all the way through the winners bracket. There's a few songs (at least 3) I'd choose over Immortality

What a boring final round.

i wouldn't call it boring, these are definitely worthy songs, but it isn't an exciting matchup for me given what was still left a couple rounds ago.

immortality

Release

The early rounds of these things are always the best.

Immortality, I guess.

Two very worthy songs and both are certainly in my top 20.

Immortality this time around.

I’ll wait up in the dark

Strat wrote:

Norris wrote:What a boring final round.

the familiar refrain of the march madnes final

Immortality is easily a top 10 Pearl Jam song for me. As much as I love Release, this is easy for me.

stip wrote:

Strat wrote:

Norris wrote:What a boring final round.

the familiar refrain of the march madnes final

I don’t know. Just always feels like the same songs advance so it loses the excitement later on. Though abnorman can confirm

Easily Release. Immortality is a bit overrated on RM.

Anders wrote:Easily Release. Immortality is a bit overrated on RM.

I agree with this.