Mecca – “Mecca” Album Review: A Rock Gem That Still Kicks in 2002
Alright, so let’s talk about Mecca, the self-titled debut album by the band Mecca. Released back in 2002, this thing is a total blast of AOR (that’s Adult Oriented Rock for the uninitiated), Arena Rock vibes, and just enough Hard Rock edge to keep it interesting. If you’re into slick production, big choruses, and vocals that soar like an eagle on caffeine, this one’s worth your time.
The album’s got some serious talent behind it too—Jim Peterik (yeah, the Jim Peterik of Survivor fame) was one of the producers, and he brought his A-game here. With Fergie Frederiksen (ex-Toto) handling most of the lead vocals, you know you're in good hands. Dude’s voice is pure gold, man. The rest of the lineup ain’t slouching either: Shannon Forrest on drums, David Hungate on bass (another Toto alum!), Mike Aquino shredding guitar solos—it’s basically a supergroup of session pros who clearly had fun making this record.
Now, onto the tracks. There are a few standouts, but I gotta shout out “Without You” first. This song hits hard right from the opening riff. It’s melodic as hell, with hooks sharp enough to snag your attention and never let go. The chorus? Absolutely massive. Like, you’ll be singing it in the shower for days. And Fergie’s vocals? Smooth but powerful, like whiskey poured over velvet. It’s one of those songs that makes you wanna drive fast with the windows down, even if it’s January and freezing outside.
Another track that sticks with me is “Blinded By Emotion.” Man, this one’s got layers. The keyboards by Jimmy Nichols give it this lush, almost cinematic feel, while Mike Aquino’s guitar work adds just the right amount of grit. Lyrically, it’s kinda introspective without being overly sappy, which is a win in my book. Plus, the harmonies in the chorus? Chef’s kiss. Honestly, every time I hear this track, it reminds me why rock music ruled in the early 2000s before everything got all auto-tuned and polished to death.
Oh, quick side note—the album came out in Italy, Russia, and Japan through labels like Frontiers Records and CD-Maximum. Not sure what’s up with that international rollout, but hey, global domination sounds about right for a project like this.
So yeah, Mecca might not have set the world on fire commercially, but it’s a killer listen if you dig your rock melodic and heartfelt. Listening to it now feels like finding a forgotten gem tucked away in your dad’s old CD collection. You put it on expecting nothing special, and then BAM—it blows you away.
And here’s the weird part: after spinning this album, I found myself thinking...why don’t more bands sound like this anymore? Maybe we need another wave of arena-ready rock anthems to save us from whatever TikTok trend is taking over next. Just saying.
