10 2000s Rock Albums You Constantly Have To Defend Loving

A pleasant surprise to critics that was dismissed as a bad joke by fans, the first thing to keep in mind about 'Chinese Democracy' is it is simply not a Guns N' Roses album.

The wildly popular headbangers' actual last album is '"The Spaghetti Incident?"', a 1993 covers release that severely under-performed compared to their original studio efforts. 'Chinese Democracy' is actually the chaotic brainchild of frontman Axl Rose, who worked with a litany of musicians over a frustrating eight-year period.

Crippled by perfectionism, Rose worked and re-worked the LP time and time again before it finally hit the stands in November 2008. Blending all manner of genres and styles into one chaotic music cocktail, 'Chinese Democracy' impressed critics with its fearless experimentation and general energy.

For longtime fans of Guns N' Roses, however, the reception was much, much frostier. The disappointing lack of original band members, particularly iconic lead guitarist Slash, was considered a bad sign from the get-go. The change in style, coupled with the interminable wait, left many disappointed in the overall LP, dismissing it as a GnR record in name only.

However, the incredible production value, coupled with Rose's unconventional, inventive blend of everything from nu-metal to electronic has allowed its reputation to grow over the years. In 2023, the LP has plenty of defenders thanks to its innovation, allowing it to somewhat shed its initial troublesome reputation.