I think you are on the right track but I actually doubt that this is a legitimate reply at all.  Here's the clues: "You asked us to send you Chinese Democracy by Guns N Roses", that isn't the way it would be written.  It would be more like, "You preordered Chinese Democracy by the artist Guns N Roses, unfortunately...(blah blah blah)."  They wouldn't have said "asked us to send you Chinese Democracy", it's an order not a favor.

Next problem:  "Your order will be kept open for when the album is eventually released."  Problems here as well.  First they wouldn't say "for", the word would be "until" also not "eventually" but more likely "if" or "when" at best.   

Finally:  "We really hope you're not too disappointed."   WTF?  I have a very hard time buying that line.  It would be closer to "sorry for any inconvenience", "not too disappointed" sounds stupid.   

I reallize this could have just been a very unprofessional person (there is a name attached on the reply which in my opinion is the only hint of this being real) replying but it smells like just another case of bulshit to me.

Funny you mentioned the Heads.  Once In A Lifetime (particularly the live version) is a trip if you are stoned and Love For Sale has that same sort of bass line that is drunk-friendly.

Back to GNR....Coma is one of the songs (obviously) that killed me when I was on a heavy buzz, for some reason the drums more than anything.  It was like a trance yet peaceful or like Pink Floyd would say...comfortably numb.  Lies (the whole EP) can't be put down either when the buzz is peaking, don't know why exactly but it is hypnotizing.

You were the first person on this board that I thought about when I heard the news.  I always liked your choice of avatar as I think that Ledger's role as the Joker may end up being the best villian we've yet to see in any of the superhero movies.  I love the idea of a deformed Joker rather than the usual cheesey take on the character.  This will be much more in line with Batman and his "Dark Knight" roots.  Really looking forward to this film and this version of the Joker is one of the reasons.  I had heard awhile back that Heath's performance may be Oscar worthy, I hope he still gets it but I hate that it may come post mortum.  Even worse is the critics who will (if Ledger wins) inevitably say he won it due to his unfortunate demise.  We lost a good actor in Heath and there aren't many at his level of skill unfortunately.  I think James said somewhere that he was this generations River Phoenix and I think that is a very accurate statement.

Yep, that's what Brady will be saying after losing the Superbowl immediately followed by  ..."Well, as most of you guys know, my foot was hurt so...."