at least from a musical standpoint the two are in the same vein. Both seem epic and are tremendous singalongs. I think that Alive has better groundwork for the ending jam and Breath seems to have lost punch over the years. But the "there's much more thaaan this" line in Breath is unmatched in Pearl Jam's catalogue in terms of climaxes in songs

In terms of lyrical content relating towards the common theme of hope Breath's verses seems a little more accessible and palpable but Alive's chorus is immense. I think personally I like breath more than Alive. I wonder what it would have been like if Pearl Jam's breakout song was Breath instead of Alive and had filled Breath in all those early setlists. I guess it wouldn't go with the Mamason trilogy but who buys that anyway.

PS. love the extended jams of Breath in 94

Breath is an amazing song, but it doesn't come close to the epic nature of Alive. Years from now when the band is over and remembered in various texts, Alive will be remembered for its riff and lyrics moreso than Breath. That being said, the "If I knew where it was I would take you there / There's much more than this" part of the song is phenomenal.

alive is more popular, but breath is the better song

i LOVE breath. why do you think i chose it for my 2nd round entry in the covers competition.

Breath is Porch's slower but deeper little brother. Any resemblance to Alive is purely coincidental.

just listen to the solo, of course its alive (mark II)

Alive is one of the reasons why I think Ten is a pile of dirt. Breath is one of three songs that make me love the band so much I've made a commitment to this silly little site.

It's like comparing wagyu beef to spam.

ill take the spam thanks

I would take Breath over Alive any day of the fucking week. I'm not a big fan of either, but Breath kicks the shit out of Alive in every way possible.

this is a very interesting interpretation that I've never thought of. I feel like there is no denying the Alive and Breath's similarity. I think Breath a more complex and deeper song than Alive but Porch is a more complex and deeper song than Breath. But Alive still has an innate grandios nature I that more people can identify with, particularly in the chorus.

The solo jam in Breath and Alive are set up almost identical (meaning that mike solos to them the same way and the band's breakdown jams can go the same way).

some of this depends on how seriously you take the incest nonsense with alive.

whats with the incest thing anyway

I agree with the thread title.

It's good to know PJ could have probably made one song like this every album - and chose not to. It's what makes them special.

part of me wishes they would though. Although I supose alive and breath would be less special if they did.

allegedly Alive is about an incest survivor coming to grips with what happened. Even if that's true the incest is supposed to be a metaphor/stand in for a severe violation of trust, but there is so much baggage that comes with incest that it is an awkward metaphor at best.

Good Call. 2 of my top 5 for sure.

Alive is the much better song, musically, and lyrically. We all ball wash breath because it's not played as much and it's a bit rare. If it were played somewhat often this conversation wouldn't even be taking place.

I always got that the mom was seeing what she was attracted to in her son is the same that she was attracted to in her father and this whole crazy scene after finding out about his father makes the mother realize this "now I can see, I just stare", and she suggests with "the look" the ya know "you know where"

haha at 1994-04-11 Boston they throw some alive solo in at the end of breath