After enjoying an extremely successful year in 2003 with intense nationwide touring and the release of a full-length concert DVD, “Live From The Lake Coast,” Chicago-based Umphrey’s McGee played three rocking nights at the Vic Theater in Chicago. The show began a new year’s run, plus they headlined the four-day-long Jam Cruise before returning to their mid-winter Midwest tour. The band’s gig on Friday night at the Barrymore Theater marked their first visit to Madison for 2004.

And it was quite a show indeed. Upon arrival, I noticed the long line out the door for buying tickets. Impressed, I was glad to see the boys finally selling out the Barrymore — “Hello, two-night stands!” I thought.

The show started off strong with a cover of Spinal Tap’s “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock It Tonight,” which then segued into “Jajunk,” a monster of a song that tends to chew the crowd up and spit it back out. Out of the “Jajunk” explosion came “Hangover,” into “Kimble,” a bouncy, rare song based around keyboardist Joel Cummins. Next was “Bridgeless”, a new tune that has developed over the past couple months through some previous “Jimmy Stewart” jams. It sounded great, and was really exciting to hear in its entirety.

The brand new song was followed by a standard, “Blue Echo.” The band’s lighting designer Adam Budney carried the song’s main theme. “Jazz Odyssey” journeyed through layers-upon-layers of thick instrumental before giving way to “Andy’s Last Beer,” a crowd favorite. The song was completed when the crowd joined in, clapping their hands.

“Thirteen Days” was standard (Umphrey’s McGee always make good on their standards), and was followed by another new song which guitarist Brendan Bayliss used as a platform for displaying his unique lyrical skills and deft songwriting abilities. The tune was very solid and polished already — dare I say radio ready? The harmony and the whole feel of this one felt good, and it shows the band’s diversity.

Of course they couldn’t just leave that “Jajunk” hanging — they finished it up to close the first set.

They started the second set off with another new tune. This one was written and passed onto them from Karl Englemann. He used to be in Ali Baba’s Tahini with guitarist Jake Cinninger. Englemann said it sounded like something Umphrey’s should play. He was right. From the lyrics to the funk to the quirkiness of the synth lines and electronic handclaps, it fit perfectly into Umphrey’s catalog.

Next up was “Uncle Wally,” a great track that used to be played only acoustic. “Wally” gave way “Padgett’s Profile,” another solid tune that was blown up in the middle with a “Jimmy Stewart” jam. The reworked classic “Slacker” was next and definitely pleased the crowd.

Next “We’re Going To War/Roulette/All Things Ninja” blended for an awesome medley. “We’re Going War” is a Mark Knopfler tune, and Umphrey’s does it quite well. “Roulette” and “Ninja” kept the crowd moving.

“Push The Pig” gave up some choppy funk and was followed by a smoking version of “Syncopated Strangers.” Cinninger was on fire for this one. The pretty ending was only topped by a segue into “Ocean Billy,” perhaps their best new song from last year. It’s very moody, the lyrics are lucid and everything just fits. The Barrymore version could have easily been the best they’ve ever played it — the perfect way to end any set.

Opening up the encore, the first few notes from “Glory” (an instrumental that induces chills) were heard while the stage was still empty. Cinninger was out of sight on his wireless guitar. “Glory” is always beautifully performed, no exception here, and, followed up with their classic “2 x 2,” left the entire crowd glowing.

It was an excellent show. Nothing much out of the ordinary happened, but with the debut of three new tunes, you can’t ask for much more out of a night at the Barrymore. And if those songs are any indication of what’s ahead for the band this year, we’re in for some of their best stuff yet. This spring, Umphrey’s McGee will release their second studio album and it “won’t be no slacker.”