So it takes a couple of full undistracted listenings to appreciate the pleasures of the new Bob Dylan album, and not half an hour while working and talking. Bob's not to blame for that. The album is great and already in heavy rotation. As for the "the best since 'Oh Mercy'" lines. I personally never liked Oh Mercy that much. Not bad songs at all, but I never loved the sound of it, and I think the unhappy creation process chronicled in the chronicles shows.
Incidentally, thinking about the chronicles, I think perhaps we live in better times as far as His Bobness is concerned: Less people are looking for a saviour now, or at least for a folk/country/rock saviour like Dylan - which means it's easier for him to escape the Prince of Protest moniker he hated so much when he was younger.