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10 Most Popular Reviews of 2008

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We’ve already revealed our most important albums, songs, and videos of 2008, but what music garnered your interest this year?

Here is the first of several 2008 recaps where we collect the stories, reviews, MP3s, and videos that were our readers’ faves. We start with the five most-read album reviews and the five most-read concert reviews on SPIN.com this year, based on your clicks.

ALBUM REVIEWS

1. GUNS N’ ROSES, CHINESE DEMOCRACY

An outrageously overblown pop-metal extravaganza, Chinese Democracy feels like a perfect epitaph for all the absurdity and nonsense of the George W. Bush era — one final blowout before Principal Obama takes our idiocy away. Read >>Honorable Mention:

2. R.E.M., ACCELERATE

Accelerate corrals 35 minutes of the fastest songs Stipe and Co. have written in decades, all performed with a sense of joyous purpose that clearly comes from a “Fuck it, let’s just do this” attitude. Read >>

3. THE KILLERS, DAY & AGE

The sincere-sophomore-album trap has claimed countless glossy bands, but now the Killers largely rein in the excess and find a connection between their two extremes. Read >>

4. KANYE WEST, 808’s AND HEARTBREAK

Kanye leaves us with unresolved melodies, self-pity, audition-level warbling, and the nagging realization that there really is no escape from T-Pain. Read >>

5. AC/DC, BLACK ICE

Brian Johnson still screams like he’s trying to squeeze one out, Malcolm keeps bashing those three chords, Angus shoots lightning bolts from his Gibson SG, and those other guys lay down the four-on-the-floor boogie. But keep listening, because something has changed. Read >>

Check out our top 5 live concerts after the jump >>

LIVE REVIEWS

1. AC/DC Are Back! (Oct. 26, Wilkes-Barre, PA)

SPIN’s Abigail Everdell catches a VIP bus from Manhattan to rural Pennsylvania to write about the band’s exclusive first gig. Read >>

2. Metallica Kick Off World Tour (Oct. 21, Glendale, AZ)

With new tunes, old rarities, and pyrotechnics aplenty, the hard rock titans prove their mettle with a searing set in Arizona. Read >>

3. Tegan Quin Plays Augusten Burroughs-Inspired Song for First Time in NYC (Sept. 4, New York, NY)

Watch Tegan perform “His Love” with the Running With Scissors author seated beside her onstage.Read >>

4. Weezer Kick Off North American Tour (Sept. 23, Lowell, MA)

With catchy tunes and quirkiness for days, the venerated power-popsters impress a lively Mass. crowd on opening night. Read >>

5. Smashing Pumpkins Kick Off 20th Anniversary Tour (Nov. 1, Cleveland, OH)

The reunited alt-rock legends skip fan faves and dedicate a song to “MILF” Sarah Palin at Cleveland tour-opener. Read >>

Check out our top 5 reviews on page one >>