Ethel Dreams of Temporal Disturbances

Ethel’s latest disc Light showcases compositions by the string quartet’s members, as well as a few other invited guests. The group continues its strategy of presenting stylistically homogonous ditties, never straying too far away from its pop-influenced post-minimal bent and with a focus on fun, fun, fun! But things get a little strange when Pamela Z shows up with her rig of digital effects. Her Ethel Dreams of Temporal Disturbances sounds like a surreal collage pieced together from PBS programs that feature the famous Ms. Merman. In between snippets of “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” Z delivers deadpan utterances such as, “This program is made possible by the generous support of viewers like you.” Thanks Ethel.

—RN