This week, we feature the latest and greatest in modern worship, featuring
Passion worship leader Chris Tomlin. And make sure to check out the latest
and greatest on cMusicWeb.com, including reviews on the solo release from
Ill Harmonics member Playdough and the second disc from Lifehouse. Keep
checking back, too, because there will be more new stuff on cMusicWeb.com
throughout the week.

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NOT TO US - CHRIS TOMLIN (2002)
by Rick Foux

[soapbox] Worship records are a dime a dozen these days, and personally I
find it disturbing that glorifying our Lord is rapidly becoming a marketing
tool. Worship is not something that can be packaged and sold, nor is it an
emotional experience that gives us warm fuzzies whenever we sing one of our
favorite hymns. Worship is a lifestyle, a way of living, which ultimately
draws us into a deeper relationship with God. Now the Christian music
industry would have us believe otherwise, since everyone and their mom has
already put a worship album on the shelves. Seeing the industry-driven
machine behind it all is probably the main reason why I've never been fond
of worship music. [/soapbox]

With that said, Chris Tomlin's Not to Us is the most brilliant and
enlightening worship recording I've heard thus far. At a time when everyone
thinks they've nailed down the worship scene, Tomlin is one artist who's
doing it right by placing utmost focus on God. In fact, that's the entire
point behind Not to Us: the glory should be directed towards God rather than
the artists themselves. Rather than having an artist and a band saying,
"Look how cool we can be doing worship!" Tomlin and his friends strive to
show us how worship is something pleasing to God.

"Everything" opens the disc with a few humble acoustic strums before
blossoming into a full-blown, semisonic cry to God, reaffirming that
everything good comes from the Father of Lights and the Giver of Life.
Credit is due Tomlin's band in this instance as well as several others, i.e.
the title track where they radiate a very U2-like vibe as Tomlin sings the
poignant lyrics, "Not to us, but to your name / be the glory." Even the
guitar solo on this song serves as an offering to God in its own unique way,
wailing along with the throngs of believers on their hands and knees, crying
before God's throne. Track #4 explores the overall majesty of our "Wonderful
Maker," as rippling, serene synth effects accompany the gentle chords from
Tomlin's guitar. Even with all the blessings God gives us, "Wonderful Maker"
comfortably assures us, "No eye has fully seen, how beautiful the cross /
and we have only heard the faintest whispers of how great you are." As our
hearts continue to reach upward, the soothing rain of God's presence flows
into the live recording of "Come Let Us Worship," an anthem to come together
as kingdom citizens and merely worship the Lamb. An interesting combo of a
drum machine and a Hammond organ are thrown into the mix, lifting the somber
air amidst the service. Crank your stereo to eleven for "The River," a
rocking cascade of grace personified. Hearing of the ever-flowing mercy
provided by the blood of Christ will make listeners want to dive in
headfirst. Likewise is the mood of "Unchanging," except the electric guitar
is scaled down to a mellower level, and the chorus reads simply "So we raise
up holy hands, to praise the Holy One, who was and is and is to come."
Undoubtedly destined to become a sing-along favorite, the cut ends with a
reminder that the God we serve is the same God who reigned at the universe's
conception. Sounding more like an adult contemporary hit than a worship
song, "Come Home Running" falls in towards the end of the record as a
benediction: "Oh heart of mine, why must you stray / From one so fair, you
run away / And one more time you have to pay / the heaviness of needless
shame." This is appropriately used as an invitation, and the glorious notes
of piano keys melt smoothly into the stringy batter of guitars and violins.

Brimming with talent and exceeding artistic capacity, Chris Tomlin has
finally done something many other worship artists fail at: producing an
awe-inspiring worship album that actually brings praise and glory to God and
inspires listeners to do the same. Needless to say, anyone who can make me
enjoy a worship recording deserves major accolation. Not to Us is an
entirely different worship experience altogether, and trust me when I say
that this album is at the forefront of modern worship for 2002.

Read more about Chris Tomlin at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/christomlin


OTHER NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM
Review: Lonely Superstar - Playdough
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/playdough/lonelysuperstar.shtml

Review: Stanley Climbfall - Lifehouse
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/lifehouse/stanleyclimbfall.shtml


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