by: Patrick MacDonald (section: Tempo page: G8)

Natalie Merchant, 8 p.m. Sunday, Paramount Theatre; sold out.

Natalie Merchant was the best thing about 10,000 Maniacs, so it wasn't surprising two years ago when the sublime singer-songwriter left the folky rock band to pursue a solo career.

But the intriguing, alluring artist did more than just switch gears. She took the time to recreate herself, emerging a more focused, confident and mature performer.

Her first solo album, Tigerlily, is a triumph, with a variety of well-written, soothing, evocative songs that, despite their easygoing style, carry an emotional wallop.

The songs deal with dreams, childhood wonder, solitude, jealousy, death and loss. One of them, Seven Years, could be about a love affair (perhaps with friend and collaborator Michael Stipe of R.E.M.) or her experience with 10,000 Maniacs.

River is a touching tribute to River Phoenix, mixing memories of her beautiful friend with rage over media exploitation of his drug-overdose death. Beloved Wife is sung from the point of view of a widower, still in love after 50 years of marriage.

Perhaps the most beautiful song is the first single, Carnival, a fun, colorful word picture that equates a street carnival with the joy and hubbub, and the scary mysteries, of life. The song's video emphasizes the community aspect of the song, with Merchant merrily bouncing through a crowded carnival, snapping pictures as she goes.

The last album she did with 10,000 Maniacs, MTV Unplugged, served as a kind of transition between the band and her solo career. On it, she sings all the finest 10,000 Maniacs songs - including These Are the Days, Like the Weather and Trouble Me - as well as a surprisingly intense cover of the Patti Smith/Bruce Springsteen rock classic, Because the Night.

The Unplugged format allowed her to rearrange some of the songs, and to work with additional musicians. The enriched sound is carried over to the new album, on which she worked with a core trio of musicians, with others added for certain songs.

When Merchant left 10,000 Maniacs, she left more than just the band. She also jettisoned her management and agent, and moved to a house in the country, cutting all ties to her former artistic life.

Tigerlily is a step up for Merchant, a new beginning for an already illustrious pop career.

She still does songs she wrote for 10,000 Maniacs in concert, because fans still want to hear them. But Merchant is not looking back these days. She's looking ahead, to a bright new future.