Watch for these May releases:

Tool, “10,000 Days” (Volcano)

Release date: May 2

A dark cloud is forming over the heads of all Hawthorne Heights fans. Los Angeles progressive metal group Tool has finally come back into the scene with its newest full-length album, “10,000 Days.” With the first single, “Vicarious,” already giving listeners a taste of what’s to come times 11, this album should prove to be a pleasant distraction for your Finals Week.

Expect “10,000 Days” to be potentially more aggressive than Tool’s 2001 release, “Lateralus.” Going on record while making the album, Tool said its days touring with Swedish heavy metal act Meshuggah heavily influenced the sound for its own upcoming record.

Paul Simon, “Surprise” (Warner Bros/Wea)

Release Date: May 9

There should be a law to punish anyone who has never extensively listened to any Paul Simon, or – even more dreadfully – never heard of the man and his endless talent. After having shucked off longtime stage partner Art Garfunkel, Simon has been working solo – a task he had always accomplished in one way or another throughout his musical career. His first actual solo release was a self-titled effort completed in 1972, and he has continued to make releases ever since.

Already judging from the newest singles available on the Barnes & Noble Web site, this album is going to be an amazing – nay, surprising – step away from Simon’s usual songwriter grind by employing tasteful pop and rock elements in songs such as “How Can You Live in the Northeast” and “Outrageous.”

Nick Lachey, “What’s Left of Me” (Jive)

Release Date: May 9

One might wonder why anyone would be interested in this album or even give it more than a download’s worth of respect. Given, Lachey has always been cast as the black-sheep stepchild to now-former wife Jessica Simpson, but just because one person in a relationship looks better in Daisy Duke shorts doesn’t mean the other needs to get the shaft. Think about it: If every form of mainstream news was constantly comparing you to your significant other while your lives were under the microscope for as long as your marriage lasted, you might have a few things to say afterwards. It is somewhat appropriate in that respect for Lachey’s sophomore solo effort to be titled as it is, given the stint of torture he endured living with Mrs. Chicken of the Sea. One can expect several songs on the album to be devoted to these experiences.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Stadium Arcadium” (Warner Bros/Wea)

Release Date: May 9

During its 23-year career, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold almost 50 million copies of its eight studio albums – half of which were its previous two releases, “By The Way” and “Californication.” Although the band hasn’t released an album in four years, it has forever engraved itself in the hearts of our generation, giving us songs that tantalize our taste buds and give us a sound certainly more unique and a little spicier than most radio bands.

Angels & Airwaves, “We Don’t Need to Whisper” (Geffen)

Release Date: May 23

Ex-Blink 182 frontman Tom DeLonge has banded together with former Box Car Racer guitarist David Kennedy, former Distillers bassist Ryan Sinn and Atom Willard – drummer for The Offspring – to create Angels & Airwaves. DeLonge proclaimed the band will make “the best music in decades,” incorporating more power and emotion than his previous projects. Whether it lives up to the hype remains to be seen.

More in May:

Pearl Jam, “Pearl Jam” (J-Records)

Release date: May 2

Jewel, “Goodbye Alice In Wonderland” (Atlantic/Wea)

Release date: May 2

Snow Patrol, “Eyes Open” (A&M)

Release date: May 9

Dixie Chicks, “Taking The Long Way” (Sony)

Release date: May 23

Nelly Furtado, “Loose” (Universal)

Release date: May 23

June releases:

Keane, “Under the Iron Sea” (Island)

Release Date: June 13

Starting out as a cover band while at school in Kent, Britain, Keane recreated hits by U2, Oasis and The Beatles. After branching out and writing material of its own, Keane debuted with 2004’s “Hopes and Fears.” The album hit No. 1 in the United Kingdom, ending up the second-most selling album of the year. The new album’s first single, “Atlantic,” released April 21, gives Keane prime position to be this summer’s biggest British band.

Dashboard Confessional, “Dusk & Summer” (Vagrant)

Release Date: June 27

After receiving lots of flack for being “way too emo,” Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba scrapped an entire album, saying it sounded too much like his previous efforts. He wrote an entirely different album, aiming to clear his name as a crybaby and earn his band some respect. Emo debates aside, one thing is for sure: Dashboard is a very talented band that carved a permanent niche in the music realm with 2003’s “A Mark. A Mission. A Brand. A Scar.” The new album’s first single, “Don’t Wait,” is set for release May 9. Ready or not, Dashboard’s emotional appeal may very well find its way into your CD player.

More in June:

The Polyphonic Spree, “The Fragile Army” (TBA)

Release date: June 4

Sonic Youth, “Rather Ripped” (Geffen)

Release date: June 13

Guster, “Ganging Up On The Sun” (Reprise/Wea)

Release date: June 13

Busta Rhymes, “The Big Bang” (Aftermath)

Release date: June 13

Later in the summer:

Cursive – “Happy Hollow” (Saddle Creek)

Release Date: August 22

After branching out of normal indie punk standards with its 2003 studio release, “The Ugly Organ,” Cursive is coming back this summer with more great music out of Omaha, Neb.

Fans and listeners can still expect to get the same complex, raw sound from the upcoming record. With the unfortunate departure of Gretta Cohn, who was responsible for the cello mastery that made “The Ugly Organ” a sensation, some fans may wonder if this newest record could be reminiscent of Cursive’s debut album, Domestica.

The Cure – TBA

Release Date: TBA

You know you’re doing something right when you’ve been a successful mainstream band for more than thirty years. The word “decade” just isn’t in many musicians’ vocabularies. The Cure, however, has somehow managed to be that one longevity act that won’t allow itself to align with a single hook element, such as U2’s Bono’s philanthropy or Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards’ latest acid trip. In this respect, the most notable element of The Cure during the years has most likely remained with singer Robert Smith’s crazy afro-esque hair.

However visually stimulating this band may not be in the pop culture scheme, many other groups have followed in The Cure’s footsteps in terms of inspiration. An example is the individual interpretations of famous Cure single, “Love Song” by artists including 311, Ozzy Osbourne and A Perfect Circle. The Cure has always remained low-key in terms of its influence, but its songs and albums have always remained cutting-edge and infectious.

OutKast, “Idlewild” (LaFace)

Release Date: TBA

After delaying its much anticipated “Idlewild” from the original Valentine’s Day release date, OutKast has said the new album will hit shelves sometime this summer. Its last effort – dual disc “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” – won a Grammy for Album of the Year in 2004, and is one of only three hip-hop records to ever go diamond (10 million records sold). The other two were Hammer’s “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em” and Notorious B.I.G.’s double album “Life After Death.” If it lives up to the hype, “Idlewild” will surely be the summer’s blockbuster hit.

Other albums to look out for:

Tom Petty, “Highway Companion”

Release date: TBA

Eisley – TBA

50 Cent – TBA

DMX – TBA

The Offspring – TBA