POP MUSIC REVIEW : Belly Show Leaves Fans Singing Praises

“Tanya! Tanya! Tanya!”

The crowd’s chant for Tanya Donelly at the end of her band Belly’s show at the Whisky on Thursday was another step in what is shaping up as her landslide coronation as the rock arrival of the young year.

After years in the shadows of Kristin Hersh in the Rhode Island cult band Throwing Muses, singer-writer-guitarist Donelly has emerged as a captivatingly catchy and off-center artist. The quartet isn’t seasoned enough to make its debut L.A. show a cosmic experience strictly on a performance level, but it played with surprising authority, giving Donelly’s songs the kind of firm-bottomed, wild-at-the-top delivery they demand.

The music sometimes seemed a little fussy and occasionally generic at the Whisky, but that wasn’t a real problem thanks to the enthusiastic attack and an active, unpretentious stage manner.

In her floral print sun dress and short blond hair, the friendly if reserved leader looked like a high schooler on her way to work at the Dairy Queen. Aggressive bassist Gail Greenwood might have been auditioning for L7, feet stomping and long hair flying, while guitarist Tom Gorman looked like a mechanic and drummer Chris Gorman like a hyperactive surfer dude. Their interaction was warm and energetic without seeming forced.

Belly also plays Monday at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.