A new setter for us today: hello and welcome, Raider.
A wide range of clues here, from fairly straightforward to rather sneaky – I particularly liked the quirky definitions in 31a and 3d, and the cleverly misleading surface of 4d.
We have a theme, too: the album generally known as LED ZEPPELIN FOUR. (It didn’t actually have a title, but the band’s previous two albums were called Led Zeppelin II and Led Zeppelin III, so IV seems logical for this one.) The album contains tracks called BLACK Dog, The BATTLE of EVERMORE, STAIRWAY to Heaven, MISTY Mountain Hop, FOUR Sticks, Going to CALIFORNIA, and When the LEVEE Breaks – all represented here. The band members Jimmy PAGE and Robert PLANT appear in the clue text too, at 5d and 28d respectively. Perhaps a diehard Led Zep fan will find more references that I’ve missed?
Thanks Raider – let’s hope this is the first of many.
Definitions are underlined; BOLD UPPERCASE indicates letters used in the wordplay; square brackets [ ] indicate omitted letters.
| ACROSS | ||
| 9 | OMEGA |
The last sign of resistance (5)
|
Double definition. Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, hence “the last” of anything; and the standard abbreviation for ohms, the unit of electrical resistance, is the capital-letter Omega,  . |
||
| 10 | AVERAGELY |
Swimming every gala in a mediocre fashion (9)
|
| Anagram (swimming) of EVERY GALA. | ||
| 11 | REPAIRMAN |
He corrects each misdirected flyer (9)
|
| PER (each, as in “once per hour”) reversed (misdirected), then AIRMAN (flyer). | ||
| 12 | INERT |
Still upset? Not very (5)
|
| IN[v]ERT (as a verb = turn upside down = upset), without the V (very). | ||
| 13 | BOLSTER |
Hold up back of trousers with belt or elastic (7)
|
| Anagram (elastic = flexible) of the last letter (back) of [trouser]S + BELT OR. | ||
| 15 | BLOSSOM |
What buds do sometimes on vacation in Orlando? (7)
|
| S[ometime]S (on vacation = after emptying), in BLOOM (the actor Orlando Bloom). | ||
| 17 | AMNIA |
Butchered animal and left out membranes (5)
|
| Anagram (butchered) of ANIMA[l], without the L (left).
Plural of amnion, the membrane that surrounds an embryo; I didn’t know the word, but I had heard of amniotic fluid so it was straightforward to deduce. |
||
| 18 | LED |
Light–headed (3)
|
| Double definition. Abbreviation for Light-Emitting Diode; or headed (as a verb) = was the leader of = led. | ||
| 20 | NOSES |
Snoops around Hooters (5)
|
| Double definition. Snoop = nose around = to be inquisitive; or hooter = slang for nose. (The surface suggests the US restaurant chain Hooters, whose name derives from a rather more vulgar slang usage of the word – though they will try to tell you it’s all about owls.) | ||
| 22 | KABADDI |
Sport featuring Raider and a naughty kid jumping around (7)
|
| A + BAD (naughty), with an anagram (jumping) of KID around it.
Team sport in which a player acts as a “raider” into the opposition’s territory. |
||
| 25 | GRANARY |
Dorian dashed back inside store for cereal (7)
|
| GRAY (Dorian Gray, as in Oscar Wilde’s novel) with RAN (dashed) reversed (back) inside. | ||
| 26 | MITRE |
Cover for bishop‘s joint (5)
|
| Double definition. A ceremonial hat worn by a bishop; or a joint, typically in woodworking, used where two straight pieces meet at an angle. | ||
| 27 | RE-ENFORCE |
Once again insist on some sunscreen for cellulite (2-7)
|
| Hidden answer (some . . .) in [sunsc]REEN FOR CE[llulite]. | ||
| 30 | RELUCTATE |
To struggle against associate taking criminal cut (9)
|
| RELATE (associate, as a verb), containing an anagram (criminal) of CUT.
To show resistance to something; a rather obscure word, but guessable from its derivative “reluctant” which seems to have survived better. |
||
| 31 | AWAKE |
Arouse with a stiff bash? (5)
|
| A + WAKE (a party in honour of someone who has died = a bash for a stiff), with the question-mark indicating a rather contrived definition. | ||
| DOWN | ||
| 1 | FOUR |
Where solver can find a castle‘s boundary! (4)
|
| Double definition. Reference to 4d BALMORAL, where solvers of this puzzle can find a castle; or (in cricket) boundary = four = a ball hit to the boundary of the ground, scoring four runs. | ||
| 2 | ZEPPELIN |
Removing outer layers of eczema on nipple agitated old gasbag (8)
|
| [ec]ZE[ma] removing the two outer letters at each end (outer layers), then an anagram (agitated) of NIPPLE. People sometimes query whether “on” indicates a specific order for two wordplay elements, but it’s easier just to think of it as “next to”.
Zeppelin = old airship, though strictly speaking it was a rigid structure containing lots of individual gasbags. |
||
| 3 | TAXI |
Overload current charging motor (4)
|
| TAX (overload = stress) + I (scientific symbol for electrical current).
Taxi = a vehicle in which passengers pay a charge to travel, hence “charging motor”. |
||
| 4 | BALMORAL |
Scotch bonnet burns – remedy taken by mouth (8)
|
| BALM (burns remedy, though the term can refer to other types of medicine applied to the skin) + ORAL (taken by mouth).
A hat (bonnet) that can be worn as part of traditional Scottish Highland dress. The surface suggests the type of hot chili pepper known as a Scotch Bonnet, which is said to resemble a cloth hat. |
||
| 5 | PEN NIB |
Nearly threw away page over writer’s tip (3,3)
|
| BINNE[d] (threw away), without the last letter (nearly), then P (page), all reversed (over). | ||
| 6 | CALIFORNIA |
A frail icon rattling around Hollywood home (10)
|
| Anagram (rattling around) of A FRAIL ICON.
As in “where Hollywood is located”, though “home” seems an odd usage for this: it’s not as though Hollywood could go away from California and then come back. |
||
| 7 | LEVEES |
Reported fees for American banks (6)
|
| Homophone (reported) of LEVIES (fees).
US term for embankments along a river, especially to prevent flooding in low-lying areas. |
||
| 8 | CYST |
Bulge spotted in Darcy’s trousers (4)
|
| Hidden answer (spotted in . . .) in [dar]CYS T[rousers]. For the surface, let’s just say that Jane Austen probably wouldn’t have written this.
An unwanted lump in the body. |
||
| 13 | BLACK |
Player left to go in second (5)
|
| L (left) going into BACK (as a verb = second = support).
One of the two players in chess; this is a clue-as-definition, because White always makes the first move in a game of chess, hence Black is left to go second. |
||
| 14 | TV AUDIENCE |
Exercising nude with active viewers (2,8)
|
| Anagram (exercising) of NUDE with ACTIVE. | ||
| 16 | MISTY |
Dim boy holds good degree (5)
|
| MY (my! = boy! = expression indicating surprise), holding IST (1st = the best exam result for a university degree). | ||
| 19 | DOGGEREL |
Person involved in public relations regularly fell for bad lines (8)
|
| DOGGER (someone involved in sexual activities in a park or similar public place) + alternate letters (regularly) of [f]E[l]L.
Bad poetry, written by someone who isn’t good at it. |
||
| 21 | STAIRWAY |
Perhaps emergency exit leads to steel duct (8)
|
| First two letters (leads) of ST[eel], then AIRWAY (duct). | ||
| 23 | BATTLE |
Parcel contains voided ticket for Waterloo? (6)
|
| BALE (a parcel), containing T[icke]T (voided = middle letters removed).
Definition by example, indicated by the question mark. |
||
| 24 | INROAD |
Strategic gain from concrete situation? (6)
|
| Definition and cryptic definition. As in “make inroads into”; or a situation where you might find concrete is IN the ROAD. | ||
| 26 |
See 29
|
|
| 28 | FLAX |
Plant a kiss on Frank Lampard initially (4)
|
| A + X (symbol for a kiss at the end of a written message), added to the initial letters of F[rank] L[ampard].
The plant that provides linen and linseed. |
||
| 29/26 | EVERMORE |
Always veer off course, occasionally crossing motorway (8)
|
| Anagram (off course) of VEER, then alternate letters (occasionally) from [c]O[u]R[s]E, containing (crossing) M (symbol for a motorway, as in M1). |
Led Zeppelin’s fourth album is a firm favourite of mine so an easy-to-spot theme for me. Lots to like in this debut with a smattering of unknowns for me: AMNIA, KABADDI (with its misleading use of Raider) & RELUCTATE.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, particularly the word-play for the dogger component of DOGGEREL. I have the old cassette of this album somewhere but the theme took a pleasing amount of time to reveal itself and it helped me to get LEVEES. Thanks to Raider and congratulations on your debut in The Indy, and thanks to Quirister for the blog
A new setter, a good theme and a pretty hard puzzle – couldn’t ask for more. In the end I just about worked everything out, but the parsing of PEN NIB defeated me. The NW was the last to fall, with FOUR and TAXI (good def) my last in. I liked the re-appearance in crossword land of KABADDI and my introduction to the word RELUCTATE.
I look forward (with some trepidation) to Raider’s next appearance.
Thanks and welcome to Raider and thanks to Quirister
Is this, by any chance, the same Raider involved with the MyCrossword site? Welcome to the Indy and with a fine debut. Like Hovis, it’s a favourite album. So much so that I can’t even post an earworm: no reason to single out any particular song when they are all superb. As were many of today’s clues with BALMORAL, TV AUDIENCE, REPAIRMAN and the astonishingly well-hidden RE-ENFORCE being my favourites.
Thanks Raider and Quirister
This was a fine puzzle with clues ranging from very easy to very tricky indeed. Last answer ZEPPELIN but did not see theme which I’m not very familiar with, but that made no difference to solving, as is just right for a theme. Thanks also to Quirister for the excellent blog.
“Is this, by any chance, the same Raider involved with the MyCrossword site?”
Yes it is, and – for my sins – I was given the opportunity to test-solve it for him – but was little that I felt needed correcting, just the odd suggestions – some of which Raider took up.
For the record, 1d had me totally stumped (almost literally). The theme escaped me, I’m afraid.
PostMark @4 I follow @RaiderCrossword on Twitter – it is the same person.
An enjoyable solve, I got through about two thirds without much trouble, but then slowed down and needed help. Amnia and reluctate were new to me (and as I type this they’re highlighted in red as unknown!) I liked a lot of the surfaces, and look forward to more from Raider.
Great stuff Raider – well done. Ticks from me for 11a, 13a, 18a, 22a, 31a, 1d, 4d, 19d (of course!). Looking forward to the next one! Will/Conto
Thanks Quirister as I hadn’t justified the second half of EVERMORE and the non-cricketing ref of 1d escaped me entirely. I agree with the comments above, especially on the wide range of difficulty to provide a very satisfying solving experience. I had a quibble over Awake = Arouse but DOGGEREL, ZEPPELIN and KABADDI all worthy of special mentions. I even spotted the theme but too late to be of much use. Thanks Raider, congratulations and first of many I hope.
Since nobody mentioned it thus far, Led Zeppelin IV was released on Nov 8, 1971 – today exactly 50 years ago.
Always interesting to see a new Indy setter but know virtually nothing about Led Zeppelin so this one was somewhat wasted on me.
New things to add to the memory bank in AMNIA, KABBADDI & RELUCTATE but I wasn’t overly happy with the definition of AWAKE.
I did like BLOSSOM & TAXI and will be interested to see what our setter turns up with for his next offering.
Thanks to Raider and to Quirister for manning the hot seat.
I’m not a regular Indy solver but I saw Raider’s name on the front page so had to have a go at this… very glad I did, excellent debut! I love the whimsical cryptic definitions – in particular for AWAKE, TAXI and DOGGEREL. Also the beautiful succinctness of REPAIRMAN – one of those clues that looks simple when you know the answer but took me ages to spot.
In short, I agree with everything Raich @5 said. The theme passed me by, even though I was listening to Radcliffe & Maconie talking about it on the radio yesterday – in case anyone didn’t realise, it was the 50th anniversary of the album’s release this weekend.
Thanks also for the exemplary blog, Quirister.
Sil @10 – ah, you posted while I was still typing. (I thought it was the anniversary yesterday but I wasn’t paying close attention to what they were saying on the radio so I’m sure you’re correct that it’s today.)
Thanks Sil@10 and others – I meant to check whether it was an anniversary, but forgot, so glad you picked it up. Though the fact that it’s 50 years makes me feel very old.
It was actually the only Zep album I ever bought (mainly because of Sandy Denny being on it).
But true, Quirister, it doesn’t feel like yesterday.
Many thanks for your blog (and Raider for the tribute).
[Sil @15: my other half is the singer in a folk rock band and has built a not unreasonable reputation for interpretations of the work of Sandy Denny. One recent highlight was being invited to join a gig with one of the better quality Led Zeppelin tribute acts just to provide the Sandy Denny contribution to the Battle of Evermore. Always sends shivers up my spine. Thanks for raising the anniversary point which I should have anticipated. Last year was the 50th anniversary of the Fotheringay album which you will know well.]
Many thanks to Quirister for the blog and thanks to everyone else for the encouraging comments. Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to share another puzzle with you all in the not-so-distant future. Cheers!
We totally missed the theme but it wouldn’t have meant anything to us anyway. A satisfying solve, though. We had trouble parsing KABADDI not knowing one of the players is called a raider and thought there might be an alternative spelling ‘kibaddi’; also we couldn’t parse CANNON as we thought ‘old’ referred to the O so couldn’t account for the final N.
We liked REPAIRMA, ZEPPELIN and BATTLE.
Thanks, Raider and Quirister.
Forget about CANNON – wrong puzzle! Must have had a senior moment.
Well, I’ve heard of Led Zeppelin, but I would have never have spotted the theme, even if I had completed the puzzle. Which I didn’t. Five clues I just couldn’t get.
Late to comment, but it’s always fun to welcome a new setter. I found half of this quite accessible but then ran into a few difficulties. For once, rescued by the theme, since when there’s a Zeppelin there could easily be a Led. Congratulations and thanks to Raider, and thanks to Quirister as always. Never heard of the game incidentally, but a great example of a solvable clue when the definition could be anything.