Rock'n'roll is inherently more crazy and thrilling than the straight world: this is the premise of new rock star reality shows like Tommy Lee Goes to College. The title of the Mötley Crüe drummer's accompanying solo album also promises some form of non-stop fun bonanza. In the event, Tommyland: The Ride stands as testament to the way rock can be duller and straighter than almost any other human endeavour.

A deadening succession of sub-grunge/sub-punk vocal collaborators studiously collide with modern FM rock's greatest cliches. Andrew McMahon from Something Corporate informs an old flame that nothing is the same since she left. Butch Walker wants to escape to where the good times roll. On Trying to Be Me, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger voices Lee's fury at fame's endless pressures; difficult emotions to swallow from someone embarking on a new reality TV career.