Without a doubt, the return of Guns N' Roses -- even if only the "Rose" part resembles the original band of hooligans who once welcomed us to the jungle -- was the most popular news story of the year on SPIN.com. Metallica's back-to-basics new album and tour wasn't far behind.

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

Okay, let's say you're the leader of a successful band. You break up the band in a highly publicized spat and then recruit a cadre of supporting musicians that were not in the original band and release a long-awaited album under the original moniker. Should the record be referred to as a "solo album" at that point? According to Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose: No!

Maybe next decade, Axl.

Sunday morning, Guns N' Roses fans' undying dedication to their holy grail, Chinese Democracy, was rewarded when the album -- after 15 years and countless delays and doubtful bets -- finally ar

Here's a rundown of the essential albums available online and in record stores today: