What makes Help I'm Alive by Metric notable?

The album received widespread critical acclaim, with 'Help I'm Alive' charting in multiple countries and becoming one of Metric's most popular songs. Its success helped define the sound of Canadian indie music in the late 2000s and influenced many emerging artists during that period. In 2008, Metric was riding high on the success of their previous album, 'Live It Out' (2005), which solidified their place in the indie rock scene. 'Help I'm Alive' marked a significant moment as their first release after signing with a major label, which allowed them to explore new production techniques while maintaining their distinctive sound.

How many songs are on Help I'm Alive?

Help I'm Alive has 2 tracks, running approximately 8 minutes.

Help I'm Alive

Metric · 2008

8 min · 2 tracks · indie rock

A pulsing blend of synth-driven melodies and sharp guitar riffs creates a vibrant landscape of modern indie rock.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Help I’m Alive — This track serves as the album's lead single, showcasing its infectious energy and lyrical introspection about anxiety and resilience.
→
Help I’m a B-Side — As a clever nod to the B-side tradition, this track highlights the band's wit while delivering an engaging sound that complements the album's themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong melodies and production but is limited in length and variety.

What we noticed

The lead track features a driving beat with layered synths and guitars that create a sense of urgency throughout its duration.
The second track, 'Help I’m a B-Side', presents a more subdued arrangement, contrasting the energy of the first track while maintaining similar melodic themes.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Help I'm Alive significantly boosted Metric's recognition and defined their sound in indie rock.
Themes: modern resilience· synth-driven introspection
Career context: In 2008, Metric was riding high on the success of their previous album, 'Live It Out' (2005), which solidified their place in the indie rock scene. 'Help I'm Alive' marked a significant moment as their first release after signing with a major label, which allowed them to explore new production techniques while maintaining their distinctive sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Chvrches· Yeah Yeah Yeahs· Bat for Lashes