The mystery behind Guns N' Roses [ tickets ]' long-awaited new album will be revealed this week as free "Chinese Democracy" listening parties take place across the US.

Retail giant Best Buy is hosting the events, which start this evening (11/17) in New York City, Dallas and Chicago, and take over clubs in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston and Detroit through Thursday (11/20). Several of the parties welcome fans of all ages. Details are listed below.

Fans who pre-order "Chinese Democracy" on BestBuy.com and bring their receipt to listening events will score front-of-line access and a free "Chinese Democracy" T-shirt while supplies last, according to a press release. No cell phones or recording devices will be allowed in the venues.

Gun N' Roses' oft-delayed new album, which has been 10 years in the making, is set to be released Nov. 23 exclusively through Best Buy. The 14-song set will be available on CD, vinyl and as a download.

"The release of 'Chinese Democracy' marks a historic moment in rock n' roll," GN'R's high-powered co-managers, Irving Azoff and Andy Gould, said in a statement. "We're launching with a monumental campaign developed by Gary Arnold and the Best Buy team that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself. Guns N' Roses fans have every reason to celebrate, for this is only the beginning."

Produced by frontman Axl Rose--the only remaining original GN'R member--and Caram Costanzo, the album features tracks including "Shackler's Revenge," which debuted in September as part of the "Rock Band 2" videogame. Another cut, "If the World," can be heard in the recently released film "Body of Lies," and a sample of the title track is streaming at Gun N' Roses' MySpace page.

"Chinese Democracy" is the first album of new material from GN'R since 1991's "Use Your Illusion." Twice in the past six years, Axl and a reconstituted Guns N' Roses lineup have hit the road for "Chinese Democracy" tours, and the album's release has appeared to be imminent on several occasions, but has consistently been delayed.

"Chinese Democracy" listening events are scheduled as follows:

November 2008
17 - New York, NY - Webster Hall/The Studio (7 p.m.)*
17 - Dallas, TX - Whisky Bar (8 p.m.)
17 - Chicago, IL - Joe's (8 p.m.)
18 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy (9 p.m.)*
18 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line (6:30 p.m.)
19 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle (7:30 p.m.)*
20 - San Francisco, CA - Mezzanine (7:30 p.m.)
20 - Boston, MA - Cavern Club at Hard Rock Cafe (8 p.m.)*
20 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall (7 p.m.)*

*All-ages events