It's been over nine years since the debut release and brain-child of brilliant vocalist, song writer and composer Joe Vana's "vision" MECCA was released on the world. At the time, the self-titled debut was considered nothing less than an instant AOR classic and can still hold its own in the genre today. So here we are nine years later and after six years in the making, the long awaited follow up by Joe Vana and MECCA entitled "Undeniable" is finally ready to make its own mark in the AOR/ Melodic Rock World.

Just listening to a few seconds of the opening track "Perfect World," it won't take you long to realize that "Undeniable" seems to pick up right where the debut left off maintaining all the class, musicianship and magnificence you would expect from a MECCA release. The crisp, clean keyboards accenting on Tommy Denander's radiant guitar work augments Vana's vocals to the extent they will simply send chills up your spine... what a gift this man has been blessed with. The song's powerful melody peaks to a sharp, scintillating chorus filled with soulful harmonies and the guitar solo flows with sheer effortlessness... a perfect song and perfect opening to the release.

"Closing Time" opens with some funky, techno keyboards but as the drums kick in and the true verse is revealed, you'll find another melodic gem sporting a strong chorus which seems to build and build to a final climax which will have even all of you non-smokers "jonesing" for a cigarette.

The next track "10Life" is hands down one of the best tracks on the release. This beautiful, complex arrangement is a bit more moody and haunting allowing Vana's vocals to truly shine (as if there is a part of the CD where they don't!) and the layers of guitars which build through out the instrumental break are simply astounding. Absolutely incredible...

"Life's Too Short" opens with some really cool bass lines compliments of the always amazing Tony Levin. Another sweet melodic track which finds Vana almost whispering the main verse but then kicks into a sublime bridge leading into another solid, harmony
filled chorus. This is followed up by "I Know," which features a superbly vocal-layered chorus having the feel almost of TOTO at their best. Then the dueling guitars of Denander and Christian Wolff during the break lift this arrangement to a whole new level of excellence.

"Did It For Love" is a resplendent power ballad again on the lines of TOTO or MR. MISTER and features an incredible instrumental break which finds the power-duo of Denander and Wolff battling it out on their axes once again. Then "From The Start" returns to that more "moody" feel and while it maintains a bit of that TOTO-esque sound, the arrangement is simply awe-inspiring on so many levels. That's the thing about this release as a whole... there's just so much going on on every track that it's hard to keep up in its genius and originality making it an almost new experience for the listener every time you listen to it.

Soft and Gentle, Vana's voice echoes over some light guitar and keyboards at the start of "Deceptive Cadence" but as the number moves forward, this ballad takes a serious turn and builds into a fiercely complex instrumental which finds both Levin and Pat Mastelotto getting their chance to show the true world-class musicians they are. Then "W2W" really turns it up more than just a notch. This up-tempo rocker is just the perfect addition to the CD having a bit more of a SURVIVOR feel to it and the instrumental break is just amazing as Denander, Mark Alano and even Vana's son Joey get a chance to show off their licks.

The title track "Undeniable" slows it back down again spotlighting some staggering keyboards in the verse by Eric Ragno which flow into an intense, powerful chorus. You can almost feel the emotion on this one as Vana's voice pierces your chest and the guitar solo by Denander is easily one of the best on the release. And finally bringing the whole thing to a close is the somber, keyboard driven tear-jerker "As I Walk Alone." Absolutely beautiful in every aspect of it's composition and the guitar solo by Wolff is just the icing on the cake of this brilliant piece.

Ya know, 5 short months ago I thought FARCRY had it all wrapped up as my album of the year as I don't like to give out 5 out of 5 star reviews too frivolously but this is something completely different. In its own right and style, MECCA's "Undeniable" is UNDENIABLY an instant AOR/ Melodic Rock masterpiece filled with all the mood, complexity, musicianship, style and class you could possibly handle. What a release and triumph for the genre which highlights the amazing artistry of the true visionary Joe Vana is. This is one for the ages...