PALOMINOS PLEASE

The Golden Palominos are rock’s answer to the Los Angeles Raiders--a band of talented misfits who are capable of championship play. And that’s just what the group’s current lineup (four rotating lead singers and a three-man instrumental support team anchored by founder-drummer Anton Fier) delivered Friday at the Palace.

As in last year’s performance at the same club, singer Syd Straw was the star, applying her arty, yet natural exuberance to songs ranging from a version the late Lowell George’s country-ish “I’ve Been the One” to Led Zeppelin’s “The Ocean.” But the other singers, including two new cast members, weren’t overshadowed: the tall, animated Peter Blegvad (also from last year’s crew) and the more winsome Matthew Sweet (who has an excellent album on Columbia) and the explosive Robert Kidney.