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JFH Music Review




The Fold
Secrets Keep You Sick



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 15 seconds
Street Date: May 22, 2007


A little over a year ago, we were introduced to a young, aspiring band of Chicago men known as The Fold by way of their Tooth & Nail debut This Too Shall Pass. With that record, they offered a glimpse into what a reinvented pop/rock genre could look like. It was fun, thoughtful, catchy, sweet, and an all around most enjoyable listen.

Now they present us with Secrets Keep You Sick, a decisively more contemplative record. Though some of it still resembles their first album, it breathes a lot more than the last record did, slowing down the pace on much more than just one occasion. It's up for debate whether these turns are calculated or if Secret Keep You Sick is just one really sporadic piece of work.

The first four tracks have the "sing along" factor that made This Too Shall Pass so enjoyable, and they could have probably fit on that same record nicely. Ironically, the pace is drastically reduced on the next track "Faster Still," which has a bit of an experimental feel to it, with its programmed drum beat and synth. The song eventually builds up to a rousing conclusion, which is new for The Fold, definitely different and most intriguing.

A somewhat corny interlude is attached to the end of the track, containing the classic "God, if you can hear me…" lyric, but thankfully it is justified by the song it leads into. Musically, "Closer" is probably the most exciting and versatile track on the record, talking about a love that slipped away. It keeps things interesting and continually changes them up throughout its duration.

"Down in Doubt and Living Without" is normal, catchy Fold fare, and leads into "Hey Rebekah," another pace change for Secrets…. It's very nearly a ballad, talking about the hardships of life on the road with a loved one back at home. In the process, it paints a very realistic, somber picture. A little over the top, but still well done.

"Catastrophe!" is more of what we've come to expect from The Fold, and the next track, "Beside You Now," is anything but, as it bears a distinct 80's pop flavor. The final song on the album, "Revisited," ends the record on a winning note. It speaks directly to a lost loved one, specifically lead vocalist Dan Castady's best friend who committed suicide a few years ago, and makes bold statements in hopes to find closure on the subject of their eternal destination. It's a pretty gritty subject to hear put to music the way it is, but it works.

With the final track as proof, Secrets Keep You Sick has its moments, and, indeed, it's another solid record from the guys. But at the end of the day, when I want to stick record from The Fold on, I think I'm still going to grab their debut. That said, however, songs like "Closure" have my attention, and there's a whole lot to like about Secrets Keep You Sick. Maturity is evident and it definitely warrants a listen, if not a purchase.

- Review date: 5/20/07, written by Josh Taylor




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. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 15 seconds
. Street Date: May 22, 2007
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Medicine
  2. Younger Than Our Years
  3. Your Secrets Keep You Sick
  4. New Skeptic
  5. Faster Still
  6. Closer
  7. Down In Doubt And Living Without
  8. Hey Rebekah
  9. Catastrophe!
  10. Beside You Now
  11. Revisited
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Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
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This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


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