Cryptic crossword No 732

Hi Glynos. Apols for taking a day or two to pop in with a comment. Some lovely clues in here, a tad more challenging than last time and I think you've worked on surfaces. Favourites include: 1a (probably COTD - I would love to have written this), 13a (intriguing), 17a (wicked), 21a (lovely - if rather unlikely!), 25a (smooth), 32a (clever), 1d (probably podium for surface), 15d (elegant), 19d (tight), 23d (unusual but I liked it), 26d (lovely surface). Spoilers in Reply. Thanks. PM

There is a theme, which should be familiar to fans of early 90s grunge rock though perhaps might pass some others by. I’ve also used a couple of “liberal” clueing techniques for which I’d like feedback. SPOILERS in reply.

Thanks glynos- really enjoyed this. Quite a mixture of very accessible and also very tricky (for me at least). There were a few “liberal” clues that caught me out - I’ll add another comment when I have more time later. Particularly liked 1A, 14A, 21A, 30A, 1D (I’m ok with that device!), 8D, 20D and 23D.

Thanks glynos, a fun puzzle to solve with some tricks to keep us on our toes (I'm looking at you 17a!). 11a is the first use of CR I've seen, it won't be the last of course. Favourite clues were 1a (excellent), 10a, 17a (grudging respect), 6d, 9d, 24d and 29d (nice misdirection).

Thanks Glynos, enjoyed this ... had a few quibbles but of no imporatnce given the fabulous working of the theme, both in the grid and in the 5d and 18d references, very nicely done!

Thanks for the puzzle Glynos, some lovely cunning stuff in here! I can't claim much familiarity with the theme but suspected what might be happening from the very neat 18a. I also really liked 1a (very neat), 10a (neat), 14a (smooth), 17a (cunning), 21a (clean), 31a (neat), 33a (nice construction), 1d (lovely surface), 2d (nice construction, although perhaps an over-reliance on "in" as an insertion indicator), 6d (neat), 9d (fun) and 19d (neat) - nicely done!