This Alibi

This Alibi
Along with the technical, intricate tracks of national acts Explosions in the Sky and Red Sparowes and local groups Black Christmas and Lethe, Kansas City’s This Alibi is among the latest to abandon vocals in favor of lurking atmospherics, pounding drums and expansive guitar. Influences ranging from the Mars Volta to Sigur Rós and Mogwai reflect the three-piece’s interest not only in speed but also in mood — essential to a group whose substance has to come through without the flash of a frontman to distract an audience. They’re not much for last names, but with their first release — a self-titled EP due out in April — Bob B., Justin C. and Robb J. are allowed a little poetic license.