I don’t think I’ve ever written a review for any album recorded by the Desperation Band. There’s no reason that I can think of, in fact, I’ve always been a fan of Kari Jobe, Glen Packiam and Jared Anderson, and I think Jon Egan is a great songwriter. Although Glen and Jared are no longer members of the energetic youth-centered group, they certainly paved the way for the group from the Colorado Springs-based New Life Church. I can’t help but be a fan of music that encourages young people to get back to the habit of unadulterated praise of our Lord God and with the live album, BANNER, The Desperation Band go all out in performing songs written specifically with students in mind.
Banner was written specifically with students in mind.
The 12 track, live offering, was recorded at the July 2014 Desperation Conference. The songs are lead by different, superbly talented worship vocalists that have a sole purpose, and that is to capture the energy of youth at worship and firmly establishing within them the understanding that people of God all share a history; one that is deep rooted. In the words of Worship Pastor and front man, Jon Egan: “We felt like it was time to get back to our roots, to create a soundtrack for the beautiful, compelling things God has been doing here [in the youth conference]. We want to make sure we’re singing songs that help young people understand they are in a moment of time but that the Church has existed for thousands of years.”
It’s so important for them to understand that they are part of a deep-rooted history of Christians who have survived.
The set list makes the all the classic moves, starting with the hit-making bass-driven FUTURE and the title single, BANNER, and then comes the well-timed down shift to the ‘slow jams’ as you hit the middle tracks. You’ll get your dose of something more worshipful with FALL INTO YOU and NO ONE ELSE and I grinned like a school boy with the surprise that is the final track, which stands out as my personal favourite!
It’s not an easy thing; bringing one’s opinion on worship music. It seems like such a godless thing to do, because the idea of the music is to bring glory to God and lift His name high, and how can that really be faulted at this level? But I realise that there is much out there to choose from when it comes to new music and you want to see your hard-earned pennies bring you the best that they can; I can get that. I’d like to say that it must be incredibly difficult to not slip into a sort of youth-focused, live-album generic trap, where its tough to call the difference between ‘that new Hillsong single’ and ‘that new one from Elevation’. One gets that feeling when listening to BANNER, but it doesn’t cause you to stop the song and want to listen to something else. Even though it has elements that are shared by other great youth-centered bands that rock out live, the stunning and worship filled lyrics and the vast array of lead voices, keep you glued, interested, and praising. In 2009 Planetshakers wowed us with their album, ONE. They broke ground in a way, with heavy synths and a rhythm extravaganza and that album is almost unforgettable because of it. With Desperation Band’s BANNER, there is nothing that will take your breath away musically, but you can be assured that what you will get, will see your feet tapping, your heart and mind always focused on God, and when it comes to worship music, isn’t that exactly what you want?
Rating 7/10
Here’s the title track – BANNER
Here’s a sneak preview of the entire album