The seven-song debut EP by southern California trio
Cut Shallow, 2004's
Watch It Cave In is lyrically positive, melodic pop-punk. The tunes are catchy enough, although the cookie-cutter production and lack of variety in pacing and arrangement makes them sound more alike than they probably really are. Similarly, singer Richie Verdugo is an entirely capable singer, but his vocal style lacks distinction, making him sound like any number of other pop-punk singers. That leaves the songs themselves, which unfortunately fall into the same trap of competent mediocrity, being tuneful enough to keep from being unpleasant, but otherwise utterly unmemorable. There is absolutely nothing wrong with
Watch It Cave In, but unfortunately, there's also very little that's right.