Sure, there may be big movie blockbusters heading to the theaters and star-studded music fests scheduled all over the country, but there’s nothing worth looking forward to as much as the release of a long-anticipated album.

Summer is the prime time for artists to release their work and the best time for listeners to buy. Music is a necessity for summer and has the possibility of defining three months of rest, relaxation and contemplation.

You need music as a backdrop to warm, lazy summer nights just as much as you need music to blast through your car speakers during that road trip you and your friends spontaneously decided to take.

Here are some of the albums we are anticipating the most and relying on to keep us company during all of this summer’s endless possibilities.

• Keith DuCharme:

Nine Inch Nails

“With Teeth” (Interscope)

Release Date: May 3

To start the summer off right, Trent Reznor is releasing his first full-length album since 1999’s “The Fragile.” The sounds are much tighter and focused than the dark, epic mood sounds in the last album. Now, Reznor and company are also on tour, so not only will fans be able to hear new stuff on their stereos, but they’ll be able to hear from Reznor in person.

Weezer

“Make Believe”

(Geffen)

Release Date: May 10

The band has already released its first single, “Beverly Hills,” which sounds practically identical to its previous albums. But that isn’t a bad thing — the upbeat tempo and catchy guitar riffs that defined Weezer through the years has always been enjoyable. Hopefully, the rest of the album can match it.

Gorillaz

“Demon Days” (Virgin)

Release Date: May 24

The animated band comes back into the mix with “Demon Days,” its second album. When its first album came out, the band was able to do something music fans haven’t heard for a long time — make something completely original. No song sounded quite like the next. Songs blended country with Latin, Brit-pop with American rap and catchy pop-punk with synthesized surreal mood sounds. And those were just three songs.

The White Stripes

“Get Behind Me Satan” (BMG)

Release Date: June 7

Nothing is like the White Stripes. In a world full of cookie-cutter pop-punk bands filling the meandering radio waves, the White Stripes have always stood out like a white pearl shining at the bottom of a deep blue ocean. The new sound of the band should be interesting to hear, after Jack White spent much time producing country music. Or it might sound the same. Fans will find out in June.

Dane Cook

Untitled Second Album

Release Date: TBA

A release date hasn’t been set and a title hasn’t been chosen yet, but comedy fans should already be talking about Dane Cook’s new album. Cook’s debut album, “Harmful if Swallowed,” has become the highest-selling comedy CD of all time. He will bring an all-new routine on his next album, so fans have some laughs to look forward to this summer.

• Dante Sacomani

Bane

“The Note” (Equal Vision)

Release Date: May 17

What kind of summer would it be without a solid posi-core album to carry you through the hot days? If the two songs posted online are any indication, “The Note” sees Bane playing the same, positive, old-school-fused-with-melodic-guitar-lines style of hardcore that the band has stuck to in the past. Who can blame it though — it seems like it’s still got it. Look for this album to be one of summer’s essentials.

The Red Chord

“Clients” (Metal Blade)

Release Date: May 17

In 2002, when the Red Chord put out its debut full-length album, it didn’t take long to pummel the metal world into bloody submission with its mathy guitar riffs and demonic growls. Expect the follow-up, “Clients,” to be one of the most hyped and most devastating records this summer. Judging from the new single “Antman,” the album will be just as ferocious and brutal as anything The Red Chord has put out before.

Donnybrook!

“Lions in this Game”

(Hand of Hope)

Release Date: June 14

If there is one hardcore album that is an underdog for best summer release, it has to be “Lions in this Game.” After only an EP and a split with Piece by Piece, this band has built a solid reputation as a tried-and-true hardcore band. For the band’s debut full-length, expect it to come out swinging with enough breakdown and sing-along heavy hardcore to convince any skeptic to jump into the mosh and get down.

Judge

“What it Meant: The

Complete Discography” (Revelation)

Release Date: June 21

This summer is going produce a bunch of albums worth shelling out $15, but none will be as deserving as Judge. Judge was one of New York City’s premier hardcore bands in its heyday. If you’re into hardcore and don’t know at least a couple of its legendary straight-edge sing-along anthems, then this is the perfect place to start. This discography contains both of the band’s 7s, the “Bringin’ It Down” and “Chung King can Suck it Up” LPs — even an unreleased demo track. As a lot of hardcore drifts toward the metalcore style, this is a bloodthirsty reminder of what hardcore was and how vital it can be.

The Dream is Dead

“Hail the New Pawn”

(Escape Artist)

Release Date: July 17

The Dream is Dead has a musical approach best compared to a right hook to the face — blunt, violent and pissed off. The new single “Fuck Fair Fighting” carries on in the band’s socio-political tradition of throwing a middle finger to the world and simply unleashing a fit of rage. Expect this album to be one of the most unrelenting hardcore records to challenge some of the more popular and more hyped records slated for release.

• Katie Piepel:

Ryan Adams

“Cold Roses” (Lost Highway)

Release Date: Tuesday

“Cold Roses” is Ryan Adams’ first of three new albums scheduled to be released this year. Whether he’s trying to outdo Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes or just happens to be going through a rather productive time, nothing matters more than the wonderful fact that Adams’ alternative country/rock tunes will be charming the ears off of fans all year long. What is even better is that “Cold Roses” is a double disc, making Adams’ total release number technically four albums in only one year.

Spoon

“Gimme Fiction” (Merge)

Release Date: May 10

Spoon’s fifth full-length album, “Gimme Fiction,” has been widely anticipated since 2002’s hit “Kill the Moonlight.” “I Turn My Camera On,” the first released single from the upcoming album, is a funky, down-tempo tune highlighted with soulful vocals from Britt Daniel. Gossip suggests “Gimme Fiction” is Spoon’s wildest album yet.

Shout Out Louds

“Howl Howl Gaff Gaff”

(Capitol)

Release Date: May 24

Released in Scandinavia in 2003, the Swedish quintet’s U.S. debut album, “Howl Howl Gaff Gaff” never made it to the ears of many potential U.S. fans. Luckily, the Shout Out Louds have chosen to invite the rest of the world into their bubbly, colorful world of music. Keyboard driven, neo-New Wave melodies accompanied by high-powered guitars, catchy lyrics and periodic handclaps make for an all-around fun summer album.

Coldplay

“X&Y”

(Capitol)

Release Date: June 7

Admit it — you’re looking forward to Coldplay’s new album. You enjoyed the catchy melody of “Clocks,” the edgy rock of “Politik” and the heartwrenching piano ballad “The Scientist” from Coldplay’s last studio album. The first single from the new album, “Speed of Sound,” follows the same formula as those from “A Rush of Blood to the Head.”

The Pernice Brothers

“Discover a Lovelier You” (Ashmont)

Release Date: June 14

Two years since their last studio album, the Pernice Brothers are back with “Discover a Lovelier You.” No single or information on the new album has been released yet, but if it sounds anything like the Brothers’ previous album, “Yours, Mine and Ours,” the Pernice Brothers will have a huge success on their hands. Joe Pernice’s sweet, swirled vocals, mixed with poppy guitar hooks make for intelligent and effortless sounding music that will last all through the summer.