Not to Us

Album Review

Singer and songwriter Chris Tomlin released his debut studio project, Not to Us, in September 2002. Known for his work on WOW Worship and Passion: Our Love Is Loud, Tomlin offers listeners pop- and rock-influenced praise & worship. Lyrically, the ten songs focus on Tomlin's conviction that God is the center of everything. When asked about the release and its purpose, Tomlin says, "God is a mystery beyond our comprehension. We can't figure God out. He won't be boxed in. He's bigger than all our questions and bigger than our answers...People are not meant to be worshiped because we're always going to mess up. Our culture longs to ascribe value to so many things that aren't of God, so anytime we can focus on God, and through that help people do the same, we're doing what we were put here for. And that's a powerful thing" (Sparrow Records). Musically, the album contains a live sound, resembling Tomlin's work on Passion: Our Love Is Loud. And while the album does not uniquely set itself apart from other worship projects, it is a strong and accessible collection of songs. Tracks include "Famous One," "Wonderful Maker," and "Come, Let Us Worship."