POP CAPSULES : 10,000 MANIACS: ALL EYES ON MERCHANT

Natalie Merchant, lead singer of the band 10,000 Maniacs, has an appointment with stardom. Like a championship athlete, the dark-haired vocalist finds a way to walk away with the trophy even on a night when everything doesn’t fall into place for her.

At the Variety Arts Center on Saturday, Merchant, who is in her early 20s, was frequently dazzling--captivating the audience with both her manner, as she acted out the silky emotions of the songs with vigorous gypsy-like spins, and with a vocal style that combines the purity and character associated with folk music and the occasional aggression of rock.

Yet there were several moments early in the band’s 90-minute set when the Maniacs seemed to be going in circles musically--merely echoing in new songs the melodies that distinguished the band’s earlier works. In addition, she and the four-piece band seemed sluggish at times, rather than exhibiting the urgency and drive of their local debut two years ago at the Lingerie.

As the evening progressed, however, Merchant found ways to break through the rigidness to charm the audience with endearing a cappella intros to songs and, for the final victory, by sitting alone at the piano for the especially intimate “Verdi Cries,” a soul-cleansing song about human passions. The Maniacs may have only advanced inches, rather than the desired leaps and bounds since the memorable Lingerie debut, but the potential, thanks to her engulfing personal vision, remains vast.

A bonus Saturday was Downy Mildew, a highly regarded local band which, in the moments it steps away from its moody Velvet Underground fascination, offers some of the most clear-eyed rock observation and engaging co-ed vocal exchanges of any L.A. band since X.