Not to Us (CD - 2002)

Personnel: Chris Tomlin (vocals, acoustic guitar); Matt Bronleeve (acoustic & electric guitars); Daniel Carson (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Bruce Gaitsch (acoustic guitar); David Davidson, David Angell (strings); Jeremy Bose (piano, Wurlitzer piano); Phil Madiera (Hammond B-3 organ); Joey Parish (drums, tambourine, percussion); Will Sayles (shaker, percussion).

Recorded at The Bennett House, Franklin, Tennessee.

Personnel: Chris Tomlin (vocals, acoustic guitar); Danielle Carson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals).

Audio Mixers: F. Reid Shippen; Sam Gibson.

Recording information: The Bennett House, Franklin, TN.

Photographer: Kristin Barlowe.

Seemingly, there are two things about which Texan singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin is extremely dedicated. One is leading fellow Christians on the road to worship and faith. The other is crafting perfect little pop-rock gems abounding in infectious melodies, ear-grabbing production, and emotionally communicative lyrics. Though he presents a very personal viewpoint in the world of Christian pop, Tomlin doesn't utilize the folk-influenced sonic soft-pedal approach sometimes favored by artists like Bebo Norman. Instead, he employs walls of ringing, anthemic guitars, percolating synthesizers, and resonant percussion to bring across his spiritual messages. And like some crossover-oriented artists, he doesn't shy away from the nature of those messages either. Throughout NOT TO US, Tomlin continually manages to clothe clearly presented worship-based lyrics in majestic rock raiment. minimize