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Here are some excerpts from what a few folks have had to say about The Online Romance, both live and recorded. Click on the link at the end of each quote to read the full piece: "It was just over a year ago that I wrote about Portland twee-pop sextet The Online Romance while still doing The Days of Lore in column form. I was drawn in by their song 'hey Abraham,' and a bit suspicious of group founder Jack Saturn's name. All right, that's probably his real name...I'm just jealous. The members of The Online Romance have been holed up in the studio working on their first proper recording, set for a spring 2009 release. It's been six months since the group has performed live. Eighteen months since they've posted an update on their Web site. More than three years since they've released any new material. But the group is coming out of studio hibernation Friday, Nov. 14, to open Portland singer-songwriter Grey Anne's CD release show...and then that's it for a while... ...I see how it is—you don't call, don't write, then you come back just long enough to make them all fall in love with you again—then you'll go away. But they'll come back to you. Especially after they hear the new music you posted this week. The Online Romance posted four songs (including a couple of new versions of older ones) on the group's MySpace and Virb profiles, all of which will appear on the new as-yet-to-be-titled record. 'sever the fabric' and 'the broken bannister' are smart and catchy, giving a nod and a wink to yé-yé girls and the coy pop of Belle and Sebastian. I promise the extra layers of piano and strings along with the sunny boy-girl harmonies will keep you warm this winter. There. Isn't getting back together fun?" - Mark Lore, The Days Of Lore (11/13/08)
"This five-piece 'chamber pop band' has always centered around vocalist Jack Saturn, who's enlisted an equally talented and attractive group of musicians over the years to help him break through the dreary clouds of the Pacific Northwest with sunny indie pop. Think falsetto soaring over Hammond organ and wispy guitar strums. Mmm hmm." Read more... - Mark Lore, Chico News & Review (11/08/07) "When The Online Romance lined up like a nervous choir in front of the mics, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I am pretty sure I didn't blink the whole time. It was captivating and beautiful. Their vocals harmonized perfectly with the deep tones of the cello." - Rachele Teresi, PDX Pole (10/28/07) "(The Online Romance) manage to throw enough melody and harmony into their twee-inspired indie-pop that it threatens to melt even the coldest of hearts." Read more... - Rob Simonsen, The Portland Mercury (03/22/07) "Okay, I gotta come clean—I have a super huge crush on The Online Romance. And what's not to fawn over? The deceptively simple acoustic arrangements of the early days have led to a four-piece lineup that still won't make you reach for your earplugs (in a good way)." Read more... - Jim Withington, The Portland Mercury (01/18/07) "TOR plays beautifully orchestrated numbers inspired as much by Belle and Sebastian and The Shins as by everyday occurrences. Vocalist/guitarist Jack Saturn has been a providential member in Portland's indie-pop community for some time and is now getting some of the recognition he and his music deserves with The Online Romance." Read more... - Angelo DeIeso II, PDX Magazine (January 2007)
"All around, this is an adorable and fully satisfying single from a band that just cries out to be heard. Highly recommended." Read more... - Matt Shimmer, Indieville (May 2006) "Occasionally, some people send me their vinyl releases. Unfortunately, my turntable doesn't work. So it takes some time for me to get around to listening to such things—if I ever do. Case in point: last summer, I received a single from a Portland-based band called The Online Romance. I still haven't heard the single, but now I really, really want to, because—well, because the song from their single is really, really good!" Read more... - Joseph Kyle, Mundane Sounds (02/27/06) "'Sadly, we inadvertently smashed that penny jar which rode in the trunk of her grandmother's car, and it wasn't 'til we arrived that I got a replacement.' On paper they don't seem like fitting lyrics for a pop song, but when sung they sure do. Especially when sung by The Online Romance's Jack Saturn, in a sweet, sensitive voice, to a truly sublime melody, on top of a gentle, imminently pleasurable arrangement of instruments...It might be out of the ordinary to create a lush, catchy song that's directed towards your coins—but then, again, out of the ordinary is good, right?" Read more... - Dave Heaton, Erasing Clouds (02/05/06) "A nice little dose of catchy orchestral pop, walking a pleasurable line between being mysterious and open-hearted." - Dave Heaton, The Big Takeover (01/29/06)
"A nice little dose of catchy orchestral pop, walking a pleasurable line between being mysterious and open-hearted." Read more... - Chris and Arianne, IndiePages (November 2005) "Straight outta' Portland, OR, come three really well-done pop songs to tide away fans of the Shins and the Decemberists between albums." Read more... - T.S., Punk Planet (October 2005) "Sweetest falsetto in town! Nods to the classic songwriters, stories for today!" - Ethan Swan, Jackpot Records (September 2005)
Have you seen us mentioned in print or on a website that isn't quoted here? Send the details to so we can investigate! This page was last updated 11/13/08. [ news ] [ shows ] [ records ] [ lyrics ]
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