By By Elyssa A. Goldstein

On his second major-label release, Ryan Cabrera delivers another round of radio-friendly pop songs akin to his 2004 debut Take It All Away. With just a little over a year between releases, one wonders if Cabrera was too eager to release new material, in turn compromising the integrity of his songwriting.

You Stand Watching was recorded during a three-week period in June, in which Cabrera tried to capture the simplicity and authenticity of his songs. However, the songs themselves are not creative enough to stand on their own.

The album is truly nothing more than a pale imitation of Take It All Away and Cabrera’s self-released/produced 2001 debut, Elm Street.

Each song is a different depiction of various aspects of love, but they all fall into the same basic pop-rock groove that doesn’t effectively grab the listener’s attention.

The record opens with “From the Start,” a formulaic pop song that is recycled on the tracks “Last Night” and “Shine On,” the album’s first single. “Shine On” does not have that immediate catchiness and recognizable hook of his first radio hit, “On the Way Down,” nor has its success been as great. “Hit Me with Your Light” is the album’s “heaviest” track, but it just barely strays from previous efforts.

The most significant stylistic changes are on “Find Your Way,” with its use of heavy jazz piano and organ, and the Latin-tinged “Our Story” featuring a spicy guitar line and heavy percussion. With the success of last year’s smash ballad, “True,” Cabrera offers us “Photo” and “It’s You.” “It’s You” is based around the piano melody, an instrument used by Cabrera heavily on this record.

While Cabrera will likely sell many copies of You Stand Watching, the music industry will most likely not be captivated by the progress Cabrera has shown as a musician over the past year.

The Chronicle gives “You Standing Watching” by Ryan Cabrera three 1/2 stars out of five.