Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review




Chris Tomlin
Not To Us



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 43 minutes, 39 seconds
Street Date: September 10, 2002


READER RATING:   


Chris Tomlin has best become known for his work as worship leader for the extremely popular Passion conferences. In 2001, Chris set out to release his first solo project, entitled The Noise We Make. With a voice and heart similar to that of David Crowder, Matt Redman, and many other popular worship leaders, Tomlin has been able to engage the passion and hearts of audiences globally.

Not To Us is Chris's second solo project, a tighter collection of 10 co-self-penned originals with the single goal of moving the heart of God. I'm extremely picky when it comes to a lot of worship because truthfully, a lot of it just sounds the same. However, Not To Us has been the first traditional modern worship project in awhile to offer something a little more interesting. The only significant shortcoming I may notice is that Tomlin's voice oftentimes sounds strikingly similar to that of David Crowder's, with his style just a little more upbeat and moving. With Not To Us, Tomlin strays from rehashing songs that are being widely covered and overplayed and successfully offers 10 good new tunes.

The title track, "Not To Us," deters the attention of the listener from Tomlin and his backup trio, as the cover art creatively reinforces this by minimizing the artists' image and features all members but Tomlin looking away from the camera. Tomlin takes a no-bones-about-it approach to what he and his crew are all about as he sings, "Not to us / But to Your name be the glory /... Send Your holy fire on this offering / Let our worship burn for the world to see / It's not for us / It's all for You" Musically, the album does next to nothing new or extraordinarily different, featuring the typical fast-strumming acoustics, vibrant choruses, and synths. However, the lyrical content and passion is there and the well-composed tracks set this project apart from the stacks of worship projects that currently flood the market.

With engaging tracks like "Not To Us," "Wonderful Maker," "Famous One," and "The River," Tomlin comprises a successful sophomore solo effort that despite its frequent "sameness" throughout the record and across the genre, lyrically propels the project into the spotlight. Tomlin and company want you to worship our Creator with him, so what are you waiting for?

- Review date: 9/8/02, written by John DiBiase



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Not To Us CD

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. Record Label: Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords
. Album length: 10 tracks, 43 minutes and 39 seconds
. Street Date: September 10, 2002
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Everything
  2. Enough
  3. Not To Us
  4. Wonderful Maker
  5. Famous One
  6. Come Let Us Worship
  7. The River
  8. Unchanging
  9. Come Home Running
  10. Overflow
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
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This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
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Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
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gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
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Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
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SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
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Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
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darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


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