Listener 4084: Oh Yes It Does! by BeRo

[Zabadak]

This is fun, possibly a good introduction to the Listener genre for newcomers, without compromising quality. There are still some words no-one could be expected to know out of there usual vocab, but they're all well enough clued and findable even in my 2003 Chambers. I would be interested to know if others share my observation that there's some ambiguity in the instruction concerning the seven word phrase: I tried one plausible method before I was sure of all my letters and got nonsense, but it emerged soon enough after by another way of understanding.
Thanks to BeRo for an amusing take on clue construction and a pleasant journey towards (for me) a familiar place.

[dr b]

A pretty straightforward puzzle, but enjoyable and well constructed as always, and I did learn a new word or two. I did not run into any issues with the 7 word phrase, so I'll have to say I'm not sure what you're referring to!

I did get hung up at the beginning by constantly forgetting that clue alterations were in the *definition*; it seems like most EVs & Listeners of late have had misprints etc. in the wordplay, so for some reason I kept looking for them there. I eventually got the hang of it.

[Zabadak]

Hi dr b: It was either clue order in each of the sets in turn or just clue order. One of them's rubbish!

[dr b]

Ah. Never occurred to me to look at it the rubbish way!

By the way with the solution to Double Cross up, it's clear that the "obvious" of the two grids was the one to submit.

[Zabadak]

Some times we can overcomplicate things: I thought the obvious solution for 4081 was just that, though I might have thought twice if it had been "these answers should be kept". Comments here raised the spectre that it might have been a double bluff, but I'd already sent in anyway. With this one, I looked for it to be more complicated than it was, which led to occasional wrong choices for significant letters. Nothing too serious!

[dr b]

Getting back to 4084, I neglected to mention that I thought 38a was a fantastic clue. Why this is occurring to me 8 hours later is unknown.

[Zabadak]

Almost my last in- could see what it had to be, but not why. When the penny dropped...

[starwalker]

I also fell into the self-created trap of looking for the message the "rubbish" way. Sadly, it also took me longer than it should to find the 10 letter word simply because I was over-complicating. Other than that I thought it was a pleasant puzzle from a setter we see too little of.

[midazolam]

I enjoyed sorting out the clues, with one clue I put as set 4 instead of set 2 confused me for a bit. Using several types of cluing in one crossword can look daunting and so I wouldn't put it as one for newcomers although it can be tackled without getting into a mess.

Finishing this last night I wanted to sleep on how I got the denouement (by the Chamber's definition). Initially I was looking for all sorts of finales but in the end the "next two lines" and the "next 5 words" appear insignificant. Oh well, I am happy with my leap of faith and end product so no hints please.

[bobbycollins]

This is probably terribly sad and/or nerdy, but I marked off each type with yellow, orange, green and blue highlighters (in that order). Having read that back it IS terribly sad. Please don't report me to SETI.

I still managed to b***s up a couple but finally ended up with ten of each.

Not for complete beginners in my view, but not overly difficult either.

[Ruthrobin]

Zabadak and Dr B are you racing each other? The hours when you posted are mind-boggling - my printer was still slowly grinding out the grid and clues :)
I found no ambiguity with the instruction but created a fair bit myself by having solutions in the wrong category. Agreed, though, this was probably a good introduction for newcomers - less challenging than it appeared at first sight.
(I was looking for the thread under the crossword site but it is in 'quizes and puzzles again - there will be some lost souls!)

[Ruthrobin]

Meant 'quizzes', of course.

[daagg]

I don't think I would call this one easy at all. I have filled in the grid after several reassignments of clues between sets, but am struggling to find the 10-letter word. I have found what I think must be an Easter egg, but it isn't long enough :-(

[Jogler]

Agreeing with all that has been said; ie looks much more alarming than it is (but psychology is all for a newer convert); expected to find things in set order to start with; and lastly, also marked the clues of each type (although I only have three highlighters so will have to borrow off you bobbycollins). A pleasant accompaniment to the cricket world cup!

[daagg]

Found it - and a lovely finish it was too! I would recommend searching for the bonus "phrase" hidden near the bottom (as I am now 100% sure that this is an extra).

[dr b]

Good eyes, daagg - I agree that could hardly be a coincidence.

[dr b]

taking it a bit further - could the 5 word phrase entered at the bottom of the grid indicate why this "bonus phrase" was not to be highlighted?

[daagg]

Ah, but the title might suggest otherwise!

[Mr Crossy]

The 5 word phrase may also refer to a mildly interesting characteristic of the clues as a whole, one seen fairly often in Guardians by Araucaria et al.

[Zabadak]

Great spot at the bottom daarg: it must be intentional. Sorry about getting this only nearly in the right section everyone: I always search with the number first and have only recently worked out how to start. If I start the thread for any of the next ones, I'll get it in crosswords. I'm "fortunate" (i.e. not currently employed) at the moment that I can pick up the crossword and start it pretty much as soon as it's published, and this one just flowed - I didn't want to stop until the finish.
BeRo is quite specific that the five word phrase is a comment on the clues rather than anything else: I rather thought the seven word phrase was a tongue in cheek comment on the process of solving - or composing - Listeners! It also, of course, signposts the source of the theme.

[easylistener]

Nearly completed the grid, almost a phrase from the letters, seen nothing in the grid yet. Can anyone help? Ruthrobin, are you there? Stuck on 1c,2d,4d,14a.