Bruce

A good example of why the "rules" are not absolute. Very creative, challenging and enjoyable to solve.

Easier/faster to solve puzzle than figure out theme, lol.

Knew Satie's first name, just couldn't spell it :-s And i think FACEPLANTS are green (lively) all year round too! #CloseButNoCigar

Brilliant! The seemingly impossible 8 Down actually provided much-needed clues for the Acrosses.

Amazing construction and very clever clueing! Squandered way too much time assuming BACALL-MACARONI crosser in NW corner, but great fun with the rest of the puzzle. Well done, Mr. Spooner!

Wow! What an impressive construction - altho didn't get the 'odds' meaning (and amazing feat of implementing that) until well after finishing. Mark, you're the real Diehl !

Excellent puzzle, fun fill and clueing. 49 Across not a heavy lift, even in this Too-Gee environment ;)

Aargh! Poisoned by Hair Metal :(

Quit after 80 min, last 35 looking at wrongly-filled grid, failed to consider upward bending answers #DUH. A good humility lesson to start the week :-)

Not knowing 3 Down, went with KIMGOLIVER crossing OHME, a fitting commentary LOL

Mighta been better to guess theme *before* solving. Nah, too busy filling in answers, lol.

Stared at my 'solution' for 20 min b4 giving up :( Got rebus combos, but didn't choose roots over squares - imho 57 Across hint not definitive. Would prefer rebus puzzles be limited to specific day, how 'bout Feb 29th? ;)

Liked the puzzle, got the non-rebus rebus thing and filled grid correctly - except didn't know 30 Down REIKI and locked in on GAPER for 44 Down :( So no CAKE for me! #FailButFun

Too bad 5 Across author Seton's first name isn't ANNA; 7 Down works either way! Spent 20 min staring at 'completed' puzzle before giving up :-s

I claim victory with 43 Across RAG/39Down OMAN :-D