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Artist: Mecca

(click on Artist's name above to return to artist's main page)

CD Title: Mecca

 

Category: AOR

Year: 2002

Label: Frontiers (Italy)

Catalog Number: FR CD 110

Personnel

Joe Vana lead vocals
Fergie Frederiksen lead vocals
Mike Aquino guitars
David Hungate bass
Shannon Forrest drums, percussion
Jimmy Nichols keyboards

Tracks

1.	Velocitized		Listen
2.	Without You		Listen
3.	Can't Stop Love		Listen
4.	Silence of the Heart		Listen
5.	You Still Shock Me		Listen
6.	Mecca		Listen
7.	Wishing Well		Listen
8.	Close that Gap		Listen
9.	Blinded by Emotion		Listen
10.	Falling Down		Listen

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular Mecca CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from Mecca are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

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Existing comments about this CD

From: koogles

Date: July 8, 2002 at 18:28

Jim Peterik's doppelganger, Andrew McNeice, gave this one a 1000n Melodicrock.com. I have to say that's mighty generous. I'll give it an 85%. For a 100%, Fergie Frederiksen would have to top his performances on 'Isolation', Peterik would have to write a second 'Vital Signs' and the production would have to be way better than what Mecca has to offer. Not a bad album, just a VERY over-rated one. Having said that, the tune 'Velocitized' does kick major ass.

From: 9 CHAMPIONS A 1	Date: July 14, 2002 at 11:19
Muchos nombres importantes pero los temas empalagosos y con fecha de caducidad.Uno mas de los que considero del monton.

From: freddy de keyze	Date: August 22, 2002 at 7:19
I don't agree with Koogles, because this is the purest and best AOR record of the year so far !!! Absolutely BRILLIANT and if you only buy one record this year, make it this one. ESSENTIAL !!!!! BUY ! BUY ! BUY !!!!!!!!!!!!!

From: JASPOUILLE FRAN	Date: August 24, 2002 at 10:43
ABSOLUTLY A MUST FOR ALL AOR LOVERS GREAT JOB

From: javier	Date: October 24, 2002 at 15:07
Uno de los mejores discos de puro aor que han salido en los ultimos tiempos.La cancion 'without you' es de las mejores canciones que he escuchado.

From: Togga	Date: November 14, 2002 at 11:51
bought this cd after the great reviews from this site,i must agree this is a fantastic debut cd from mecca,only maybe 1 or two tracks feel a little under par.but thats only because all the songs on the cd are so strong.. can't stop love//close that gap//mecca..are awesome.nice to here that they are already working on Mecca 2..hurry up lads we're all waiting.

From: Janxy	Date: December 4, 2002 at 23:01
Don't rush them Togga. I'd much rather they take their time and make sure they've got everything right. The worst thing these guys could do right now is whip out something uninspired just to fill the demand. Anyway, this is a great, easy to stomach, album with infectious songs. Can't Stop Love feels like it was taken out of the oven a little too soon.

From: Chuck	Date: December 12, 2002 at 7:22
It's the greatest. JV is just super!!!

From: Teo_3	Date: January 6, 2003 at 17:23
what???1000 votes with an average of 9.35 and only 9 comments for THIS??O.K, the album is nice for year 2002 but i would not rated it more than 8.5.Guess who altered the ratings one more time!!!!!.PEOPLE listen to the disk before u buy.

From: Peter Poland	Date: March 5, 2003 at 9:52
Great, great Project. I really recommend ''falling down'', this is my fav. song from this cd. When you listen to it, you'd feel like were listening to survivor - toto.

From: robert	Date: March 5, 2003 at 15:34
Disco normalito, para mi humilde entender! Habra q seguir escuchandolo, aver si me llega a sorprender mas...

From: Hard80	Date: March 16, 2003 at 4:52
Total crap! What a poor and amateur album!

From: freddy de keyze	Date: April 29, 2003 at 13:14
Hard 80, how stupid can you be to call this crap. Are serious ? If you're serious, then I advice you to search a doctor soon, because you're becoming very mad. Boy, this is till now the finest record in 3years, head and shoulders above any competition ! MASTERPIECE !!!! Who is the amateur here, you, poor Hard8O !!!

From: Bill Cox	Date: May 25, 2003 at 22:05
GREAT ALBUM!! A 100 by all means....... Best Album since Toto's Seventh One....

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: June 15, 2003 at 20:51
Good album, but way overated,(Head and shoulders above any competition)!!!!is rather exceeding the mark on this one i think. Fergie Frederiksen has sung alot better (Toto - Isolation) and the production is lacking in some places.That being said, Joe Vana is an excellent vocalist and the musicianship from the supporting band is excellent throughout. At the end of the day this cd just leaves me a little cold and takes me straight back to my Toto collection, where it is ALL done a whole lot better

From: freddy de keyze	Date: June 16, 2003 at 20:10
I don't agree at all, Jez. Toto is a good band, but they never released a real classic CD, and their latest is crap ! But this is top AOR all the way. Best of recent years, by far !!!!! Head and shoulders above Toto !

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: June 21, 2003 at 1:52
Freddy - you obviously haven't listened to Toto that much if you say they haven't released a classic album -How about The debut, then Toto 4, then try Isolation, followed by Fahrenheit and then maybe give The Seventh One a listen - if there isn't a classic among those four albums then i don't know what is. The Musiscianship is also way better. Listening to these shows up the Mecca disc for what it is - Good but 2nd division stuff..

From: freddy de keyze

Date: June 21, 2003 at 4:30

I think we'll never agree on this one, Jez. I want to give all my Toto records (and I have 'em all) to have the Mecca record, which is far superior ! Better musicans, O.K. Toto is good, but it's about the songs ! And these are average in comparison to the Mecca record ! The first Toto CD is good, and also Isolation, but not classics ! And the rest ? 4, Fahrenheit en certainly The Seventh One are very poor, very soft and sometimes even boring. Toto has class, no doubt about that, but classic ? No

From: T-Bone	Date: June 21, 2003 at 4:54
Jez, never argue with Freddy. He's always right. You're allowed to have an opinion of your own, but it's wrong if he doesn't agree. Toto has had Multi Platinum success all over the world, but very few of us have heard of Mecca. Since Freddy says Mecca is better, then millions of the rest of the world that bought the Toto albums are all wrong and we don't know music.

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: June 21, 2003 at 8:40
Thanx T-Bone - You obviously know your music. Anyone who says Toto - 4 & Fahrenheit are poor cds are tone deaf imho.. Well i will say no more on the subject!!!!

From: Rycheage	Date: July 2, 2003 at 22:05
Musically, Mecca is not hard rock. Mecca is mature, AOR at it's best. A mixture of Mr. Mister at their complex and moody best, Survivor at their stadium filling, lighters-in-the-air heyday and Toto at their vocally smoothest. The musicianship is first rate and the production by Jim Peterik and Larry Millas proves that AOR releases can compete on a world stage and alongside major label releases.

From: zeto	Date: September 26, 2003 at 12:33
tres bel album qui nous rappelle les années glorieuses de TOTO la chanson numero 2 et 5 et vraiment un modele du genre.............TRES BON TRAVAIL

From: AOR freaky	Date: November 24, 2003 at 6:00
Forget Toto guys ! This is the real deal : Mecca is the best record of the new millennium, only beaten now by the release of Pride Of Lions ! (buy that new record at any price, it's a MASTERPIECE !)BUY MECCA ! Great ! BRILLIANT !!!!

From: ooten	Date: December 6, 2003 at 23:54
Got this one on my collection, the Japanese issued with a bonus track. Recommended to all AOR/melodic rock freaks.

From: Hrudet	Date: February 3, 2004 at 0:19
This is fantastic stuff...This is a must own for any AOR fan. 'Silence Of The Heart' is a pure slice of AOR. 'Can't Stop Love' and 'Without You' impress as well. The CD as a whole is simply awesome.

From: AOR freaky	Date: February 3, 2004 at 9:04
Ooten and Hrudet : right you are ! This is a stunning AOR release ! A second record was anounced for this year, but will never see the light of day(see the fantastic Melodicrock.com by our AOR ghuru Andrew!). A pity ! A second one could have been a new highlight this year ! Let's hope it will come. Joe, we count on you, man !!!!!

From: Togga	Date: February 15, 2004 at 12:45
anyone out there in Aor land know when the new Mecca album is due out!!!!

From: AOR freaky	Date: February 17, 2004 at 9:10
Togga, I'm afraid that there will never be another Mecca record. Joe has a lot of problems, also personal ones. This would be a disaster, because I consider this band as one of the greatest of the last 10 years ! I also hope for a second one, but not many chances !

From: Joe Vana

Date: March 5, 2004 at 4:56

AOR Freaky..... SURPRISE....we are in the studio now as I speak.....and dare I say we sound better than we did on the first album....lots of stuff sbout my personal problems on the internet, great....I took 6 months off, now I am back.....I don't know what lable we will end up on....but Europe will get the album first...I can't tell you everybody on the album, but the firspower is amazing.....Take care....JV

From: AOR freaky	Date: March 5, 2004 at 7:30
BLOODY GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joe, man, what exciting news, the best in ages ! If it comes out this year, what I really, really hope !, I know already now which record will be my fave record of the year ! GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU, JOE !!!!!! ALL THE BEST FOR YOU AND THE OTHER GUYS INVOLVED ! CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR YOUR NEW CD !, and I will not be the only one ! BEST WISHES !!!!!!!!!

From: alex tirello	Date: March 29, 2004 at 16:04
the name is everything here..and the kitch artwork make the rest.

From: André	Date: April 19, 2004 at 21:19
'Without You' has to be one of the greatest AOR songs of all the times!!

From: AOR freaky	Date: May 6, 2004 at 7:12
Together with Pride Of Lions THE AOR CD OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM !, followed by great stuff from Harlan Cage, 101 South, Norway, Departure etc. !!! Don't forget it ! Glad a new CD will follow soon !

From: TIM (2)	Date: May 26, 2004 at 8:19
Great stuff, I love to hear bands that don't care how dated they sound (i.e, Final Frontier). Heard the track on the Melodicrock.com sampler and can't wait for the new CD. I just have to mention how anyone can say that Toto didn't release any great albums is beyond me. '4' was an absolute masterpiece, as were those with Joseph Williams at the helm, and as good as Mecca is it isn't that good.

From: AORmaniac	Date: June 21, 2004 at 15:11
Simply a good one... very overrated. Better check out Pride Of Lions debut which is far better than this one. OK it is good but is not a masterpiece as the Pride Of Lions...

From: AOR freaky	Date: June 23, 2004 at 3:55
This is an AOR masterpiece ,on the same level as Pride Of Lions. And with Stan Bush, three of the very best AOR records in years ! Phenomenal ! Name me better releases in this genre over the past years, AORManiac and Tim(2) ! You won't find 'em. Certainly not second rate stuff à la On The Rise or so ! I'm curious !

From: Joe Staline	Date: June 23, 2004 at 10:04
To each its own, dear AORfreddy : because to these ears, Mecca IS third rate stuff (at best). Then there are way too much fillers on this disc to call it a masterpiece. And I don't even talk about the very amateurish production. Yeah, a very over-rated release, indeed.

From: TIM (2)	Date: June 23, 2004 at 10:40
Dear Freddy, well I do really like this.. But over the past few years would rate quite a few AOR CDs higher: Vertigo, 2 Fires, Spin Gallery, Ramos, Newman, Final Frontier, Stage Dolls (new), 91 Suite, J.S.Soto's solo, Terry Brock's solo, Sahara, Nexx, Shy, TEER (somewhere under the production!), Robby Valentine, Jim Jidhed, Bob Catley. And yes, probably Urban Tale and On the Rise!

From: TIM (2)	Date: June 23, 2004 at 10:43
.... and... Journey's 'Arrival' was only 2001, and it absolutely kills this stone dead. Just my opinion...

From: Paul Ryan

Date: June 23, 2004 at 17:54

AOR Freaky, I don't understand you. On any of your reviews you say that This is a masterpiece, so much better than [insert any band name here], and when somebody comes back and says, Well I like that band better than these, you're straight back saying You're wrong, they're shite and this is better. Face facts, people have different opinions to you. You like bands other people don't and vice versa. Don't question it, just deal with it. You're coming across as an ignorant tit. Chill the fuck out.

From: AOR freaky

Date: June 24, 2004 at 6:52

Thanks, Paul, I don't give a d.. f..k about your opinion ! To Tim(2) : I also like most of the bands you name, except On The Rise, Urban Tale, Jim Jidhead and Nexx, which are very, very weak AOR affairs ! I also have my doubts about Journey (these guys are so overrated, just like Harem Scarem !). But none of the other you name, how much I like 'em, can compete with Mecca or Pride Of Lions ! Not in the same league ! And the new AOR album of the year so far is 'Shine' from Stan Bush ! Superb !

From: Scandinavia	Date: June 27, 2004 at 7:58
This one's a keeper!!! Excellent AOR and brilliant craftmanship!

From: Scandinavia	Date: June 29, 2004 at 8:03
Listening to 'Velocitized'...That 'Wooooo'-thing kicks ass!!! Reminds me of 80s KISS...

From: Marla *MJ*	Date: June 29, 2004 at 8:59
LOL...ok Scandinavia.....Had to pull this one out just to see what you were talking about with the 'Woooo' thing!! Gotcha now!! I love this album!!! The vocals in certain parts remind me of Danny Vaughn....and I LOVE his voice!!! This is definitely top shelf AOR, at it's finest!!!

From: Togga Uk	Date: August 9, 2004 at 20:33
To Joe Vana... Great news about the new album will we hear it in 2004? please throw us all a bone to chew on please many Thanks

From: Wotty	Date: August 12, 2004 at 5:44
Possibly my fave cd over the last 4 years.For people in the know,such as AOR FREAKY,the long awaited follow-up should be the shot in the arm AOR and decent rock needs.Joe Vana et al bring it on.Album mark 10/10

From: AOR freaky	Date: August 12, 2004 at 6:49
Indeed Wotty, this is A GEM ! One of the very best in the last years. I totally agree with you ! And Togga UK : good question ! Hope we hear from Joe here again. I think he's busy now with the Ambition project. But Joe, how is work going for the next Mecca record ? ! We all hope to hear from you soon on this site, with good news !

From: Max	Date: August 31, 2004 at 1:24
Great news. I just hope there was news of a new Stranded album as well as well as a new Storyteller. And how about craig goes back to recording and does another killer 101 South? I am listenign to this MEcca for the first time and it is great, although not as instant as Pride of Lions. Peterik, you are AOR personified.

From: Geoff	Date: August 31, 2004 at 10:00
This is another one of those ones (with Pride of Lions) I did not expect to like too much, but was pleasantly surprised. I believe I actually prefer this to POL. Whilst I feel both albums run out of steam by the 3/4 mark, I do think there are some good songs here. Of course, I would go nowhere near as far as handing out the praise many have, but this is a good, solid AOR disc.

From: Wotty	Date: August 31, 2004 at 10:10
Geoff,I agree this is better than Pride of Lions,but even through gritted teeth you must admit this is a pearl of a AOR album.Go on force yourself....

From: Kip

Date: August 31, 2004 at 17:44

This is a tad overhyped in my opinion, but anything as hyped as this tends to be! There is a reason for the hype, and the reason is these songs were not only produced and written to perfection, Vana delivers each line and phrase as though he just lived it with the conviction of a pro. Overall the song quality is solid throughout, and only the final three tracks never caught my attention the way the first 7 did. Highlights are Can't Stop Love, Velocitized and Wishing Well. 8.5/10

From: Wotty	Date: September 4, 2004 at 14:38
To stef the french.Finally I apologise for the posts that seem to ridicule your taste in quality AOR.I write this as I listen to one of the finest albums of the AOR genre,of course its ROCK,NO NO NO MECCA Sorry an easy mistake to make....

From: rock until you	Date: November 3, 2004 at 15:56
Masterpiece follow up on Le Roux So Fired up

From: Sergio	Date: November 10, 2004 at 12:54
Como nunca me gustó LE ROUX, tampoco me gusta este. No quiero decir que es malo, simplemente ''ni fu ni fa''.

From: Axe Machine	Date: November 27, 2004 at 16:58
Agree with Koogles, one of the most overrated albums of the last few years...i will be very suprised if they release a second album.

From: Swriter	Date: March 3, 2005 at 18:42
thanks to AFreaky and Wolfy for making me listen again to this one, I heard this once and did not like it, gave it away and just got it in for another chance and it now works for me, the 2 voices together are great!!! thanks guys, this is another great one, check out planetmecca.com, I am not sure but I think it is a new site!!!

From: Rafo Phoenix	Date: June 12, 2005 at 23:35
Decent Melodic Rock/AOR album, no sera la gran cosa pero es un disco que esta en algo, bien melodioso y a citar Without You la mejor un Gran corte de AOR, Silence of the Heart es otro corte bueno, al resto le falta punche aunque hay otros cortes simpaticos pero a la vez muy empalagosos como dice Champions.

From: MarkyB	Date: July 5, 2005 at 10:39
Hi Dudes! Could somebody please explain what GEM stands for? Guess it´s some kind of superlative, right? I agree with most of you on this Bandproject: fucking brilliant!! I´ve just put it on in my friend´s new Porsche Boxter stereo the other day: what a great feeling to cruise around with this superb music. Nothing like it except the originals such as Toto, Survivor...

From: victordeaor	Date: July 27, 2005 at 9:29
Gran disco, que sin duda puede considerarse ya como clasico. Musicalmente se situa entre el AOR clasico y el softwest con claras influencias de toto(en la formación milita David Hungate) y survivor no se que tiene Jim Peterik, pero como el rey midas todo lo que toca lo convierte en oro. JV es un gran vocalista 100% AOR y Frederiksen... que decir. Absolutamente recomendado.

From: 707star	Date: August 30, 2005 at 21:52
THIS ALBUM IS AWESOME AND NOTHING LESS. THE VOCALS FROM BOTH ARE GREAT AND THE DRUMS,GUITAR,KEYBOARDS AND BASS ARE SPECTACULAR. THIS DOES KICK ASS. I PLAY THIS ALL THE TIME.

From: Aorforever	Date: November 27, 2006 at 6:39
The second album is coming up ))))))))))))

From: Clayton77	Date: January 3, 2007 at 8:52
This album is REALLY BRILLIANT!! AOR at its very best and it`s a shame that these guys are no international superstars!!!!! A MUST HAVE!!!!! (10/10)

From: YIRO SEVENTH

Date: June 27, 2007 at 19:06

Disco muy bien hecho, impecable musicalmente, con unos musicazos, por supuesto. Veo opiniones divididas. Yo tampoco pienso que éste disco sea la gran cosa, pero hay temas muy buenos como: 'Velocitized', 'Without You', por ahi 'Blinded By Emotion' y la balada 'Silence Of The Heart'. Muy bien por Fergie Frederiksen(no confundir con la tipa de los Black Eyed Peas POR FAVOR). Me parece que a algunas canciones les hace falta gancho y contundencia, pero eso si, la calidad aqui es innegable.

From: darobinson	Date: July 24, 2010 at 11:19
This message is for Freddy. You say that Toto has never made a classic release. Interesting since Toto 4 won 6 Grammys. That release still stands as the most awarded album of all time. You do not know what you a re talking about. Mecca is good I agree but the first seven Toto albums blow this way!!!!

From: gypsymoth	Date: November 18, 2010 at 7:45
'Can't stop love'..Well, i just can't stop listening to this song!

From: rick kerch vzla

Date: January 1, 2011 at 19:04

Pleasant album with a couple of great singers(Joe & Fergie... specially Fergie ) and another very talented musicians...the album opens with a very catchy song 'Velocitized','Without You' probably lows a bit the enthusiastic of the opening track but still is a highlight,'Can't Stop Love' puts everything on track again,great mid tempo one,'Silence Of The Heart' is a nice song,'Mecca' reminded me of Toto and Mr Mister(Fergie...rings a bell guys )and to finish 3 great tracks 'Wishing Well','Blinded By Emotion' & 'Falling Down'...in general lines a very fine album...90/100

From: tomdwa	Date: April 3, 2020 at 21:20
What a glorious album this is, there's almost no filler on it and the musical quality is skyhigh. Extremely enjoyable, with Mike Aquino (the house guitar player of Jim Peterik) in top form and the special feature of two great lead singers. Top album of 2002!

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