Review: Justin Fancy, Sure Beats A Good Time

Newfoundland singer Justin Fancy sounds like he's primed for Nashville's Music Row, a long way from St. John's colourful array of homes known as Jellybean Row. Fancy had momentum in early 2020 and despite a few pandemic-resulting hurdles recording this album these new batch of songs have plenty of oomph.

As he sings in the thoughtful "Your Memory" Fancy says he writes about things that "come from the heart" and not surefire country cliches. Throw in a blueprint that would make Blake Shelton or Dierks Bentley envious and you have another single on the back burner. At the same time he crafts a lovely pop-tinged gem entitled "Makes Me Wanna" with its chorus teeming with ear-candy goodness. The only drawback is "Figure This Out" which sounds a wee bit too glossy.

The crowning achievement here is the title track which opens the album, a lean, melodic and polished tune with just enough grit ensuring repeated listens. Yet the sweet folksy "Wonderworld" isn't any slouch, bringing to mind any Celtic-leaning Steve Earle ditty. The capper "Lovin' Man" is a tribute to his father while citing some country icons in the process. Nothing fancy here but it sure is a damn good listen!

Sure Beats A Good Time was released September 25, 2020
Listen to it here.