What a difference four years can make. Eric Hutchinson’s sophomore album, “Moving Up Living Down,” sounds more mature, more refined and more professional. Songs like “Living In The Afterlife” pile layers of sound on top of one another until it forms a great track. Noticeably absent is the charm the first album, “Sounds Like This,” had. Hutchinson’s lyrics are still witty and sarcastic, but the album doesn’t feel as free-flowing and effortless as his first. Luckily, the folk-pop, soulful tunes are still there and stronger than ever. “Moving Up Living Down” is a solid second effort, especially after such a long break after the first album, but a lack of charisma keeps this effort from getting a higher score.
Grade: B-
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