Undeniable

Mecca | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 10, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Frontiers Records
• ASIN: B005MLOOKO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,130 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Rewind to 2002: The debut album from Mecca takes Melodic Rock community by storm. Formed by vocalist Joe Vana, he had enlisted, among others, the services of former Toto members David Hungate (bass), Fergie Frederiksen (vocals) and Survivor founding member Jim Peterik, who contributed to the songwriting and production of the album. The follow up album saw Vana work on the songwriting with Swedish musicians Christian Wolff and Tommy Denander, also enlisting the talents of Pat Mastellotto (King Crimson, Mr Mister) and Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson). His core band was comprised of Rick Vitek on drums, Brian Moritz on keyboards, Wally Hustin on bass, Eric Ragno on keyboards and Mark Alano and his son Joey on guitars and backing vocals. Fast forward to 2011: Mecca II "Undeniable" is finally completed. The results are aptly described as breathtaking. An album that perfectly melts the outstanding High-Tech AOR approach of Mr. Mister's "Welcome to the Real World" with the sheer commercial brilliance of Toto's "The Seventh One". Mecca is now here to stay, so see what Melodic Rock fans are raving about and get turned on to their music!!!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another rock-solid Frontiers melodic rock release, November 9, 2011

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Undeniable (Audio CD)

It's taken nearly a decade, but we finally have a second album from AOR/melodic rock project Mecca. The band's 2003 self-titled debut was very well-received, and 2011's Undeniable should be just as satisfying to AOR fans, even if it doesn't feature Fergie Frederiksen this time around. Joe Vana is a more than capable vocalist though, especially on songs co-written by the likes of Tommy Denander and Tony Levin.

If you're familiar at all with the Frontiers label, you know albums like this are pretty much their bread and butter. They specialize in glossy, `80s-minded melodic rock, and Mecca definitely qualifies. This is gorgeous stuff, catchy and radio-friendly (in the mid `80s at least), and brings to mind bands like Toto, Journey, Survivor and REO Speedwagon as well as current Frontiers artists like Work of Art and Pride of Lions. Songs like "Perfect World," "Did It For Love" and the title track are highlights, but the whole album really shines, even if it doesn't stray too far from the tried and true Frontiers formula.

If you enjoyed the first Mecca album, you're going to love Undeniable as well. It's a really solid melodic rock album that should appeal to just about any fan of this kind of music. Be sure to check out the debut by Kimball Jamison and Fergie Frederiksen's Happiness Is the Road, as they have a similar sound and high quality level.

4.0 out of 5 stars Return to Mecca!, January 11, 2012

By 

Michael (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Undeniable (Audio CD)

Well it's been a very long time coming but the highly anticipated second album from Mecca has arrived and it is another great collection of high quality melodic rock songs. Undeniable is a very well produced album whose sound borrows influences from classic melodic rock bands such as Mr Mister and Toto making it sound more like a really good pop record. The song styles are varied and the performaces are strong throughout with particularly great vocals from band leader Joe Vana who took the reigns on this one. There are also some big names as far as musicians are concerned with Tommy Denander handling most of the guitars, Tony Levin appearing on bass, and Pat Mastelloto on drums. Highlights include the great first track "Perfect World" that sets the album up with a smooth vocal performance and memorable chorus, the high tech melodic rock style of "Closing Time", the nice verse grooves of "Ten Lifetimes", the eighties vibe of "I Know" which definitely borrows grooves from Dirty Dancing, and the Mr Mister vibe of "Did It For Love". The album sounds very professional with lots of layered keyboards and guitars and great mixing and mastering by Chuck Macak. The guitar solos from Tommy Denander are insane often sounding like guitar master Steve Lukather. The only minor thing holding Undeniable back from achieving brilliance is that it lacks a bit of intensity in the songwriting. Despite this slight shortfall, Undeniable is certainly one of the best albums in a brilliant year for melodic rock and the album artwork looks awesome.