Anyone – The Miracle In The Nothingness: Album Review

By Howard King on 18th January 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

In the guise of Anyone, Riz Story releases another epic album to follow up his highly successful In Humanity.

Release Date: 17th November 2023

Label: TogethermenT Records

Format: Digital / Streaming/ CD

It would have been more appropriate for Riz to go under the pseudonym Onlyone rather than Anyone after this marvelous solo effort in writing performing vocals and production. He describes the new release as: “a meditation on the miracle of existing. It is a contemplation of the surreal reality that we find ourselves in as we float through a borderless expanse on a dust grain which has somehow come to life.”Sadly it is not yet universally believed that if current practices continue, we are on the path to oblivion but it is hard to dispute the misuse and abuse of the earth’s resources and wildlife.

Riz is accustomed to having his work receive accolades such as ‘a masterpiece’ and this album is guaranteed to receive the same level of recognition. His multi-layered compositions and arrangements require significant listening stamina yet it is without any pretensions, that he challenges the Prog enthusiasts – “It is not meant for the casual listener, but rather those listeners who seek truly progressive music. ”

Although rivalling a band such as Yes in its complexity in terms of time signatures, evocative lyrics and extended pieces of music, as a whole it is not too demanding on the ear to endure, but is, in fact, a compelling and enjoyable experience. Thanks to modern technology it is possible to include an epic 20-minute title track amongst shorter pieces. Amazing to think how that would have been one side of vinyl in the old days of the early Seventies! There is a lot to appeal to musos wanting an introduction to the world of progressive music and not just in the shorter tracks.

As an avid follower of Prog music I freely admit that by the time of Topographic Oceans I became cast adrift, but Miracles Of Nothingness did not have that effect on me. Quite the opposite actually…another disc would not have been shunned as I became so immersed in the music. As one wasn’t available I just went back to the beginning.

So the advice to everyone is to get on board as Anyone’s sublime music is open to…anyone.