If Kristin Hersh was the mad brains of 1980s schizo-rockers Throwing Muses, Hersh's half-sister Tanya Donelly was its warm, beating heart. When Donelly left the band in the early '90s, she staked a melodic, accessible path that curved near but slightly away from mainstream pop. She served briefly in the first Breeders line-up, providing celestial counterpoint to Kim Deal's earthier influence, then formed the band Belly, whose first album, STAR, was an immediate hit, yielding two singles and two Grammy nominations. After one more album with Belly, Donelly went completely solo, and started a pattern of sporadic but critically acclaimed releases that showcase her girlish singing, heady lyrics, and breathtaking melodies.