After the much-publicized history of Wilco's album, "Yankee Foxtrot Hotel," which the record executives initially deemed "unmarketable," it seems the band is indestructible. The album has been put on many Top 10 lists and became a regular on the college radio charts, and their tours, including a show Saturday night at the Orpheum, have been well received, both publicly and critically. Let me first say that the Orpheum is beautiful - both as a venue and a work of art. Unfortunately, it wasn't in very good hands with the opener, Califone. They're a band that sounds like they took their cues from Mission to Burma style outfits but never managed to learn their instruments or their craft well enough. The lead singer, whose lyrics, when understood, were idiosyncratic and self-contained, could barely play his guitar and piano, often banging on a single key for minutes.

Nevertheless, the two percussionists and guitarist/banjoist/violinist were quite good. The quality of the sound dragged mostly because of the front man, who only was able to get a handle on his contribution in one or two songs. Needless to say, the beginning disappointed.

But then Wilco came out, following two minutes of weird sounds being played through the PA system. I have to admit that the band had me worried through the first two songs. A documentary, "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart," displays the band's recording process of "Yankee," including two of the members' departure from the band. So, I was confused as to how the material, especially the older songs, would be handled by the new crew. The opening song, "How to Fight Loneliness," was soft and smooth but lacking the energy I had was expecting from a Wilco show. The next song, to which I embarrassingly admit to not remembering clearly enough to know the title, included a chaotic solo by lead singer/guitarist Jeff Tweedy, with him more resembling an epileptic having an episode than a musician. It was cool, but disconcerting, leaving me to wonder what the rest of the set would be like.

Amazing. That's how the concert ended up going. The new songs mixed harmoniously with the old. I wasn't a fan hoping that they'd stick to one side or the other; I was just happy they were playing so well. The new songs, particularly "Pot Kettle Black," "Kamera," and "Radio Cure," kept alive the vibrancy of the studio recordings while providing an added personal feel. You could hear how glad they were to be playing these songs.

On "Heavy Metal Drummer," Tweedy began by instructing the audience on how to sing the chorus' harmony, jokingly teasing and criticizing us for a lackluster practice round. His sense of humor, a much-welcomed transition from Califone's consistently unfunny remarks that Lincoln was shot at the Orpheum, generated a warmth to the songs that helped him connect to the entire audience. My one complaint is that they did not play enough from their debut, "A.M.," or "Summer Teeth." Throughout the show, I was waiting for these albums to get their due treatment.

However, if I said I walked away disappointed, I'd be lying. The band was able to successfully play acoustic, electric, and in between, be 'avante garde' and bar-band all at the same time. They were even the folk heroes with "California Stars," from their collaboration with Billy Bragg and Woody Guthrie songs. I couldn't fault Wilco for any of their song choices. I just wished that it could have gone on longer.

My only caveat: don't expect the set to include many songs from the first and third albums. If this doesn't bother you, and it shouldn't, carry on and track the band down in Maine or Philly or the next time the tour. They're well worth it.