The Boss has had more success than most mortals could ever dream of, but at the same time there are still countless folks rooting for him. This has less to do with his role as a blue-collar icon than the fact that Bruce Springsteen hasn’t released a great album in 20 years. Supporters wanted 2002’s The Rising to be great so badly they were able to overlook its relative mediocrity. They did the same for Devils & Dust. They were even able to pretend that last year’s We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions was something more than a fluke detour.

One thing was clear, however: Overcome was more energetic and exciting than anything Springsteen has done in years, though you should settle down if you expect the new Magic to be equally zesty. Overproduced by Boss fave Brendan O’Brien, the disc tries too hard where Overcome (produced by Springsteen himself) made it all sound so easy.

That said, Magic is still Springsteen’s best collection of songs since 1992’s oft-overlooked Lucky Town. It also finds Springsteen in strong lyrical form, willing and able to refer to his early days while applying that passion and imagery to the state of the nation. Indeed, with songs such as “Livin’ in the Future” and “Last to Die,” the politicized Springsteen takes on the war in Iraq and the wrongs of the Bush administration, albeit in oblique form. Elsewhere he channels the late Warren Zevon (“Radio Nowhere”) and Brian Wilson (“Your Own Worst Enemy” and “Girls in Their Summer Clothes”). Most important, songs like “I’ll Work for Your Love” channel prime Springsteen.

Don’t believe the hype or hyperbole—this disc is no masterpiece. But at least it comes close to living up to the man’s larger-than-life myth.

Bruce Springsteen plays United Center Sunday 21 and Monday 22.