The self-titled debut release of These Three Remain, an Oklahoma-based independent band, is an album that I've looked forward to for a long time.

I've been friends with band member, Matt Denman, since the times he wrote a cappella harmonic praise songs for our circle of friends to sing at the church camp talent show. Over the years, I've come to be an admirer of the ways God has gifted him musically, and I have seen his heart for the Lord grow stronger. Over the years, I have also hoped that God would bring together a band that could do justice to the songs he was writing.

Well, after hearing this release, I can say that God did even more than I had hoped for, because this band does more than just play Matt's music. Instead, they are a team of musicians who complement each other and create unique music together.

The uniqueness of TTR's music is not in their playing of some new style of music, as the band follows the tried and true musical form of straight-up rock. What sets them apart is their fresh interpretation of that genre. Their sound is special because of the inclusion of classical style, single string guitar picking and vocal harmonies that often stand out from the mix, instead of being drowned out by the instrumentation.

Lyrically, this album reminds me a great deal of the Psalms. Like the Psalms, the thread tying this album together is that of praise. However the praise is set against different contexts in each song. Some, like "Trembling World" and "I Will Give it to You," are set in the context of pain and difficult circumstances, while other songs (I.E.--"All I Do") are straight-up praise songs. In all of these songs, though, there is an awareness that mere human effort to worship the Lord is not sufficient for such an awesome God. Yet there is also the awareness that God's grace makes our efforts to praise Him beautiful in His eyes.

Of those songs of praise, one of my favorites is "Trembling World," an upbeat statement of faith expressed through the words of someone who has survived a tornado. The fast pace of the music works well with the lyrics of this song.

I think what I really dig about these lyrics is the way the picture seems so real. Listening to the song, I can just imagine lying in a bed in a tornado-devastated house and looking up to the stars because the roof is no longer there. It is hard to imagine praising God in that moment, but just the thought that we can praise God in that moment blows me away.

Another song that stands out is "Not Ashamed." It starts off with some laidback guitar strumming, then the addition of a single voice. After that, the other voices join in for the harmony, followed by the bass, and finally the drums to launch the band's nice full sound. From there they go off!

Then when we get to the bridge, where we hear more stellar solo guitar picking, then another round of the chorus before it flows into this sweet, almost a cappella, harmonic ending. (Worship leaders, I would check out this song out. I think this would be an awesome song to lead in worship.)

Last of all, I gotta mention my favorite song of the record. It's the hidden track, which I'm guessing is entitled "Underneath Your Wings." It is a very gentle worship song that simply has vocals, a hand drum, guitar, and a sax. The song on one level is quite uncomplicated, with very basic instrumentation (similar to Enter The Worship Circle by Waterdeep & 100 Portraits), but it works so well. There is one thing I would add: a flute. This may seem crazy, but I could just hear how a flute would go well with the sax in some parts of this song.

I think what makes the song so special is that toward the end of it, the arrangement moves to just some simple guitar strumming and the drum beat playing softly while one of the band members reads I Corinthians 13:9-13.* The whole effect of that moment thrills me in a way I rarely experience from just listening to a CD.

OK, I admit that I really dig this album, but there are a few weak spots that I should note. One of them was the song, "More Than Me." It's not bad, but it just didn't seem to be as well put together musically as the other songs on the album.

Also, in general I think the production should have been worked with a little more. Over the course of the album, I had to change the equalizer settings a time or two for the sound to consistently sound right.

All in all, though, I really like this album. I recommend it to anyway who likes good guitar playing, sweet harmonies, and heartfelt songs of praise.

* *I Corinthians 13:9-13 says, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love."