MECCA – Undeniable (2011) [retail]

MECCA (2002) self-titled debut still remains as one of the best AOR albums of the Millennium (and of all times, if you ask me. Since the band finished a lengthy road trip in 2005, they have been ensconced way in darkened rehearsal rooms and recording studios slaving away on new material. Six years in the making, and finally the 2nd Mecca album, “Undeniable“, is here.

So was the wait worth it?
The answer is: Oh yes! Mecca’s “Undeniable” is an AOR masterpiece.
It’s deep, creative, with layers of textures and clever arrangements. Years of studio time, re-recordings, and re-arrangements paid off. With perfect songwriting and incredible performances by truly session monsters, this album is what pure AOR is all about.

All tracks are marvelous, no need to pick highlights, all are fantastic.
To name a few, just listen numbers such as “From The Start” with its great twin lead section, the soaring title track and the riff heavy “Closing Time” with its quirky and restrained synth motif all hold the attention throughout.

And all truly great AOR records should have a true rock-out number, and we have it on “W2W”, a track that kicks off with a riff to die for and a shred solo blended into a song that sounds like Boston at their best.
And the ballads, ahh.. perfect ones. Just take the sublimely subtle picked riff on “Deceptive Cadence” or the crisp and crunchy backing on “Did It For Love” as a couple of examples, these are tracks that are well thought in every detail, not by the numbers work outs thrown together.

“Undeniable” is a pure AOR bliss.
This is an album that I know will stand the test of time, but don’t wait for that, go and get it now.
Mecca’s “Undeniable” is, so far, best album album of the Year. Period.
Mandatory Purchase

Perfect World
Joe Vana – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Guitars – Tommy Denander & Joey Vana
Keyboards – Eric Ragno
Drums – Rick Vitek
Bass – Tony Levin

Closing Time
Joe Vana – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Guitars – Mark Alano & Tommy Denander
Keyboards – Tommy Denander
Drums – Rick Vitek
Bass – Wally Hustin

Ten Lifetimes
Joe Vana – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Guitars – Brian Moritz & Tommy Denander
Keyboards – Brian Moritz
Drums – Rick Vitek
Bass – Wally Hustin

Life’s Too Short
Joe Vana – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Joey Vana – Background Vocals
Guitars – Christian Wolff & Tommy Denander
Keyboards – Tommy Denander & Brian Moritz
Drums – Pat Mastelotto
Bass – Tony Levin

I Know
Joe Vana – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Joey Vana – Background Vocals
Guitars – Christian Wolff & Tommy Denander
Keyboards – Brian Moritz
Drums – Rick Vitek
Bass – Wally Hustin

Did it for Love
Joe Vana – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Joey Vana – Background Vocals
Guitars – Christian Wolff & Tommy Denander
Keyboards – Brian Moritz
Drums – Rick Vitek
Bass – Wally Hustin

From The Start
JV – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Guitars – Joey Vana & Tommy Denander
Keyboards – Tommy Denander
Drums – Rick Vitek
Bass – Tony Levin

Deceptive Cadence
Joe Vana – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Guitars – Brian Moritz & Tommy Denander
Keyboards – Paul Prociotto & Tommy Denander
Drums – Pat Mastelotto
Bass – Tony Levin

W2W
Joe Vana – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Guitars – Joey Vana & Mark Alano & Tommy Denander
Keyboards – Brain Moritz
Drums – Pat Mastelotto
Bass – Wally Hustin

Undeniable
Joe Vana – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Guitars – Joey Vana & Tommy Denander
Keyboards – Eric Ragno
Drums – Rick Vitek
Bass – Wally Hustin

As I Walk Alone
Joe Vana – Lead Vocals
Guitars – Christian Wolff
Keyboards – Brain Moritz

BUY IT !
www.amazon.de/Undeniable-Mecca/dp/B005MLOOKO
.