Review / 200 Words Or Less
A Kid Named Thompson / Altus
Split

Seafoam (2009) Michael

A Kid Named Thompson / Altus – Split cover artwork
A Kid Named Thompson / Altus – Split — Seafoam, 2009

Two newcomers from Texas team up for a split 7" release. You get one track each, generally falling within the bounds of the indie music circuit.

A Kid Named Thompson is not a one-man emo guitarist - thank goodness. This three-piece outfit instead offers up "Fall Down," a three-minute venture of upbeat pop-rock. I'd liken them to Jimmy Eat World, thought the vocals aren't quite as powerful. Nevertheless, this is solid stuff and I can get into it.

Altus occupy the flipside of the 7" with their four-minute piece "The Ghost in You." The five-piece ensemble walks the line between 90's indie/emo and modern pop-rock. You get a nice combination of The Get Up Kids, Mineral, and Rival Schools. The inclusion of pianos and the female vocals definitely gives the band a different vibe, but it works.

This split is a nice snapshot of these two groups. They both are honing in on their respective sounds and I can see both of them going places if given the proper coverage.

7.0 / 10Michael • August 26, 2009

A Kid Named Thompson / Altus – Split cover artwork
A Kid Named Thompson / Altus – Split — Seafoam, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

Silver Proof

Even If It Hurts
Independent (2026)

Some pop punk records feel made for playlists and algorithms. They’re polished into oblivion, emotionally vague, and afraid to get messy. Silver Proof clearly didn’t get that memo. The Buffalo trio’s debut full length, Even If It Hurts, leans heavily into the emotional core of early 2010s emo pop and melody while still sounding energized rather than nostalgic. Across the … Read more

Lice (Aesop Rock & Homeboy Sandman)

Vol. 4: Miami Lice
Rhymesayers (2026)

This EP released kind of suddenly, back in March, right before a bunch of stuff hit the fan in my life outside of SPB. Which means the EP felt sudden, but this review has been stewing for nearly three months with a lot of repeat listening along the journey. At eight songs in length, it's short but sweet, and as … Read more

Various Artists

There Is No Sun - A Tribute To Jay Reatard
Sonic Church (2026)

The late, great Jay Reatard was a prolific master of rock n roll gems. Whether it be with his earlier budget-punk act of his namesake, Reatards, his synth-punk projects Lost Sounds and Angry Angles, or his solo material as Jay Reatard, Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr. was an incredible songwriter. Those aforementioned bands are just a smattering of units he’s been … Read more