Road-tested in every setting from a converted garage in Salt Lake City to the 30,000-seat Calgary Saddledome, from San Diego to Dubai, the artist and songs alike bear a playful confidence that was boosted along the way. As the Washington, DC-raised singer, pianist and guitarist traveled the world over the course of several years, word of mouth about his irresistible songs and engaging presence brought out consistently growing concert crowds. That helped turn the song "Rock & Roll" into an international hit. The songs "OK, It s Alright With Me" and "Oh!" also caught fire. On Moving Up Living Down, all of Eric s ever-widening musical embraces are brought into play, from the exuberant folk-pop bounce of "Watching You Watch Him" (the first single, which debuted on the season premiere of ABC-TV s "Grey's Anatomy") through the reggae lilt of opener "Talk is Cheap" through the soul grounding of "The Basement." The music is tuneful and rhythmic. The lyrics are engaging and reflective. Comparisons, as always, are tough, but you wouldn t go wrong thinking of a spectrum that includes Paul Simon, the Beatles and Stevie Wonder, all integrated into a truly Hutchinsonian whole. Produced by Mike Elizondo (Eminem, Regina Spektor) and Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, James Morrison).