POP MUSIC REVIEWS : XMAL AT PALACE

In case you were wondering, there are only six bands listed in the “X” section of the comprehensive “New Trouser Press Record Guide.” It starts with Los Angeles’ own X, of course, and ends with the X-Teens from North Carolina. Of the other four--including punk pioneers X-Ray Spex, transcendental pop band XTC and Northern Ireland’s Xdreamysts--only one is still active: Xmal Deutschland.

This German quintet played to a half-full Palace on Monday, delivering Teutonic techno-pop that rarely rose above the generic level. The most interesting thing about the group is that its three front-line members--guitarist, vocalist and keyboardist--are women, supported by male bassist and drummer.

But Xmal didn’t do very much with its ingredients. Singer Anja Huwe has Deborah Harry looks, and she danced with a naive earnestness that evoked a ‘60s-era pop songstress on a TV variety show. But her metal-edged wail was wearying, and the music became repetitive. Xmal wasn’t dynamic enough on the uptempo songs, and the slow pieces dragged too much to set strong moods. If Xmal doesn’t make some changes, there’ll be one less entry in Trouser Press’ next edition.