Charming, tongue-in-cheek morbidity has always been Nick Thorburn's strong suit. But while he used to pair it with sanguine, sunshine-coated guitars, tropical drums and elastic bass lines, Thorburn and his band now produce something far more calculated and gloomy. Read more...

As they generally are, this week's art sales were record-breaking. Despite the recession, people still found good news to report, and the media found numerous broken records to report. Read more...

For actress Emily Rose, a proper introduction deserves more than a handshake. Read more...

If the small portions of upscale Los Angeles restaurants annoy you, a trip to the Griddle Cafe is well worth the money. Read more...

I can't escape the conclusion that pop music is getting better. Read more...

When Indian classical musicians play the santoor, their hands hammer, pluck, or glide across the instrument at exhilarating speed, navigating the 100 strings with adroit precision to produce the resonant, reverberating melodies. Read more...

For such artists as Vincent Van Gogh and Camille Pissarro, gaining recognition in the art community took an entire lifetime. Read more...