Bo Bice's debut CD is generic affair

Bo Bice (19 Recordings/RCA)

On the cover of his debut album, "The Real Thing," wanna-be Southern rocker Bo Bice looks like a fairly attractive woman. The "American Idol" finalist's brown mane is lush and long; his saucer-size blue eyes flash a come-hither look. My editor says Bice resembles a young Ali MacGraw, circa "Love Story." I think he looks like someone who dated Pacey on "Dawson's Creek."

This curious photo shoot didn't happen by accident, of course. Even before you start listening to the desexualized hair metal that fills up most of Bice's 11-track disc, you'll have a good clue about how super-producer Clive Davis plans to market his new charge.

First, there's the inclusion of a so-pretty throwback wall poster that screams Tiger Beat.

And then, perhaps most telling, there's the presence of special guest, and equally lovely hirsute star, Jon Bon Jovi, who co-writes the harmlessly catchy breakup song "Nothing Without You" (which rocks . . . but not too hard).

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora also shows up for support, adding a solo here, some backing vocals there, and co-writing a couple of tunes, including the utterly lame "lonely highway" ballad "Willing to Try."

Is Bice the next Bon Jovi? Probably not. But hey, there are worse business models.

Bice's voice is not particularly distinctive, nor is it particularly warm. He reminds me of Bob Seger with a cold. On a positive note: Although almost all of the songs were written by someone else, when Bice gets the rare chance to do one of his own numbers (the album-closing "Valley of Angels"), it's one of the better things on the album.

For the most part, though, "The Real Thing" — like most debut discs from "American Idol" stars — is a milquetoast affair. That's too bad. On TV, Bice managed to distinguish himself by stressing his Alabama roots. But from the sound of his first album, he might as well be from New Jersey.

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