Allow me to start with this:
"Everyone Overcome" is one of the best albums that you can pick up this year. If you've picked up a paper in the past year, odds are you've heard some news about life at New Life Church and how our lives as a church family were dramatically changed last winter. They said we wouldn't make it, they said we wouldn't last... They said it was over.
Now, almost a year to the day, we're able to proclaim that "By the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony we have OVERCOME!". The songs included on this album hold a special significance for the worship leaders of Desperation, because more than ever before they have been living them. Each song is a testament to a different day and another hurdle conquered through Jesus Christ.

The crowd has been mixed in louder than ever before in this album, and unlike they're previous releases; this album kicks off with an instrumental intro by Desperation drummer Brad Nyght.
Light of Salvation is a new Jon Egan freedom anthem about how, through Jesus Christ, our chains are broken so we can dance and sing and shine the light of salvation. This song will have you dancing and pumping your fist (especially during the "Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! We're shining the light of salvation!" part!)
I Know is an energetic song that has a Hillsong United sort of feel. It's about knowing that Jesus has rescued us and the life he has for us is the absolute best ("I know, I know, I know, I know I have found the way that cannot be shaken...")[written by Jon Egan and _tag student ministries assoc. youth pastor Jeremiah Parks]
Taking Over Now This song has one of the raddest guitar riffs I've heard in a while, Erick Todd definitely delivers. Written by Glenn Packiam, Taking Over Now is about how Jesus has lifted us up above the things we wouldn't be able to conquer ourselves. God is in control! The bridge of the song is full of energy and will get you up and moving around... it's pretty much amazing.
Counting On God is an anthem by Jared Anderson (I bet you expected to hear Jon Egan, huh?) that is incredibly simple, yet powerful. The breakdown in the middle of the song has a huge impact on the heart as you sing along [The miracle of Christ in me, is the mystery that sets me free. I'm nothing like I used to be, open up your eyes, you'll see.]. "I'm counting on God" is one of the most enjoyable tracks on this album.
Overcome is THE defining song of the album. It was first written spontaneously at a _tag student ministries (New Life's High School group) winter retreat during worship after a message delivered by New Life's collegiate house of prayer (theFurnace) and Desperation Conference founder, David Perkins. Overcoming was a pivotal idea in those difficult times... so out of suffering came one of the greatest worship songs the Desperation Band has ever put out. There's a good reason it's 12 minutes long. Influenced in a large part by Revelation 12:11 -- "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." -- and is the verse that graces the album cover and resides inside the lyrics of the song. It is a declaration to the power of God over darkness. "Savior, worthy of honor and glory, worthy of all of our praise. You overcame."
It also includes audio from testimonies given at the Desperation Student Conference 2007 as a special treat with phenomenal impact.
Maker of Heaven Written by Glenn Packiam, this song was first released on the Desperation Band "Sessions&Remixes EP". "Through it all I know You are God alone." included on this track is the beautiful vocal backing of Bekah Ham, a 19 year old New Life Church student. I love the bridge in this song as well... it's just a very awesome moment in which you can lift your hands and just praise God with saying "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! You are God alone!", and that is a very reassuring thing indeed.
Pleasing To You written by Jared Anderson, "Pleasing to You" is a prayer. A cry to be pleasing to God. "I give my life, my all. Taking the cross I will follow, Jesus my heart must know I'm pleasing You."
Good To Me This is one of my absolute favorite songs on this cd. Bekah Ham solos in this song and does a fantastic job! The song is about the overwhelming goodness of God and it's elegant simplicity is what makes it tug at the heart. "All your love fills my soul and my heart will always know, God, You are good to me." It encourages the listener to contemplate the goodness of God and the things God blesses us with.
Open Your Eyes One of the first songs written during the first extremely difficult months for New Life, "Open Your Eyes" begs that we lock eyes with Jesus and remember what it is He has done for us. The song is laden with passion and prayer. The soloists Jon Egan and Stephanie Dorman are so heartfelt... the breakdown of the song exceptionally passionate and wonderful -- "Open your eyes, look to the skies. The King of Love, the King of Heaven. Tell everyone, your daughters and sons, The King of Love, the King of Heaven."
I'm Coming Your Way was written by Jared Anderson for his album "Where to Begin" and was actually almost not recorded in the first place. It was put on the album last minute and was haled as one of the best songs on "Where to Begin."... on this album however, "Open Your Eyes" runs into this song that is mildly reminiscent of "Refuse to be Denied". As the audience sings "I'm Coming Your Way" there is a sense of pursuit and hunger... a generation ready for desperate pursuit of God. It makes me very happy that they mixed the audience in louder than in any of the other albums.
I Will Go is probably the most anticipated release for any New Life student... they've been waiting almost two years for it to be recorded. "I Will Go" is a ridiculously powerful song inspired by Isaiah 6:8 -- "The I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said "Here am I! Send me!" -- an excellent closer to [the live part of] the cd. The truth is we live in a generation that needs God more than ever. In Matthew 28:19 we are commissioned by the Lord to go out into the world and to make disciples of every nation, tribe and tongue and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. God asks "Whom shall I send?" and "I Will Go" is the best answer we could give!

My Savior Lives [Radio Version] is a pretty interesting new version of this song. "My Savior Lives" was originally released on the album of the same name released last December by NewLifeWorship. This version was done in studio with just the Desperation guys, unlike the live version which included Ross Parsley and the New Life Church choir.

This CD is AMAZING!!! I had never really heard Desperation Band before until this album. I had a friend who was a huge fan but I never got a chance to hear them for myself. I happened to go into a Christian bookstore in Tennessee and saw the album so I checked it out. I was blown out of the water! I didn't even listen past the first 3 songs. I just went ahead and bought it. I have always been a United and Planetshakers fan (I myself am a worship leader) and this is no doubt in the same category. If you want high-energy praise and intimate worship, CHECK THIS ALBUM OUT!!! YOU'LL DEFINITELY BE PLEASED!!!

This is a great CD! Period. Each of the songs have a unique quality about them. First and foremost, the songs are very encouraging. The mixes are done extremely well. I have had the CD for 1 week and I just keep listening to it. Anyone who is a desperate seeker of God will love the variety this project offers. They took over a year to get the project completed, and it shows. My daughter was at the Desperation event last summer in CO when some of the songs were done. She loves the recording as well.

I just got this cd at the pre-release for my church which is so very blessed to have Desperation lead worship every sunday morning. It is amazing. It is the best worship album of the year. It completely encaptures the presence of God that was so strong on the recording night. It is amazing and God's gonna use it in mighty ways.

Although I have not heard the actual CD I was one of the thousands at the recording. This CD will truly bring you into a worship mode and never lose your interest until it is over. This band has excelled greatly in the last couple of years and is truly becoming a worship band that will lead people into a great worship experience. "Who you are" is the best worship album I have ever heard and is well worth the price.

So I'm one of the lucky ones who's heard Who You Are already (gotta love being the friend of a friend). Let's run down the songlist: 1. Freedom Song AKA "Freedomtown" due to the opening line "Do you want to go to a place they call Freedom?" Jon Egan gave us "I Am Free", now we can jump all the more to this raucous get-the-crowd-going explosion that ends with the desperation cry: "Freedom for a generation." 2. The Difference Jesus is praised as "the joy I cannot hide." Lovin' it. 3. Promises If you're not a fan of sing-song, worship-leader-repeating type songs... this one may win you over. Especially because it keeps the focus on the Lord and His Word. 4. Ready Now Here's the show-stopper. Opening with some artistic turn-table actiion, it merges into a pleasing melody with a rhyme that won't let go: "Take my heart / And make it new / And make it true / And make me like You." Then the drama ascends to a line that we worshippers should take seriously: I'M READY NOW, I'M READY NOW. Are you? 5. Who You Are The drama doesn't really descend, fading into this gem that urges more devotion as it sees the ease of today's culture: "I won't be satisfied / I won't be found alright / Til I find who You are." 6. Perfect One There's beauty in these simple words which leave it to congregants to make all the connections of praise. "Perfect One / Matchless King / Beautiful Son / Creation sings" 7. Endlessly Sounding rather Hillsong-ish, this one might be more at home in the main service rather than youth group. It extols the beauty of Christ and how He undo's our lives. 8. Coming Back For all the prodigals: the Father is there when we surrender. 9. Revolve This flighty melody offers "highest praise", on the wings of keyboard musicianship by Jared Anderson. 10. Live For You I don't consider this one much notable, though there is more DJ-type stuff. 11. Everything To God This mix tries to hide it, but the song is just a bit country. 12. Chasing Driving acoustic guitars (courtesy of Glenn Packiam) have never sounded so good.. though it's also the rhythm that makes this song one that resides in your head for weeks on end. 13. Refuse To Be Denied A fitting closer: contemplative, but still wanting more of God's touch and His fire. In short: Who You Are is the next generation of worship albums, an unbelievable step up From the Rooftops. I've heard United We Stand and find it a bit too same-sounding (and the lyrics so hard to get!) for my tastes. Even without the budget of Hillsong, Who You Are will make waves.