Magnificent Obsession (album)

Magnificent Obsession is the second and final studio album from 1980s American pop-rock act Cellarful of Noise, a solo project of Mark Avsec of Donnie Iris fame.

Since the band had come to a halt, Avsec started working on the second Cellarful of Noise album Magnificent Obsession.

[1] This time, however, he approached Iris to help on the project, and he provided lead vocals on a selection of tracks, as well as co-writing a couple of them.

[3] Afterwards Avsec backed away from the music scene as a solo act and has since continued to perform and record with Iris as well as pursue his full-time career as an entertainment lawyer.

When asked about the future of the project, Avsec stated "For now we're watching what's happening - if the new LP does well then we'll eventually put together a band and hit the road.

The band featured drummer Kevin Valentine and guitarist Albritton McClain, who were both members of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers.

Speaking to The Pittsburgh Press in March 1988, Iris spoke of the situation: "As far as "Samantha" is concerned, it was doing everything that it was doing on its own, without a lot of help from the record company as far as a video, a CD and all that stuff.

[8] Iris enjoyed making the album using the MIDI method, as it avoided interference from engineers, producers and the record company.

[10] Upon its release, Billboard stated: "Despite the Beatles-esque name, this two-man outfit plays solidly soulful synthpop with no shortage of radiowise hooks.

"[11]> Cash Box listed the album as one of their feature picks of March 1988 and commented: "Cleveland-based outfit are gaining strong response due to the LP's first single, "Samantha," which is currently obtaining impressive attention at radio.

"[1] In AOR Basement, writer Ian McIntosh stated "If you haven't heard the Magnificent Obsession LP, then I heartily recommend it although it is far more overtly poppy than the majority of the old Cruisers material.