Temple of Transparent Balls
The Black Dog · 1993
62 min · 11 tracks · techno
A cerebral blend of ambient textures and rhythmic intricacies, marrying experimental soundscapes with a techno heartbeat.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Cost I — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its haunting ambience layered over intricate percussion, encapsulating the sonic exploration that defines the record.
-
→
The Actor and Audience — This track stands out with its dynamic shifts between serene soundscapes and driving beats, reflecting the duality of performance and observation present throughout the album.
-
→
Cycle — With its extended runtime, this track unfolds gradually, showcasing The Black Dog’s skill in constructing immersive environments that invite deep listening.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends ambient and rhythmic elements effectively, showcasing a unique sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features long, evolving tracks that often build layers of sound gradually over several minutes.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- cerebral soundscapes for contemplation
- immersive textures for focused listening
- rhythmic intricacies for deep dives
- late-night exploration of ideas
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- casual background listening preferences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1993, Temple of Transparent Balls is The Black Dog's second studio album, following their debut, Spanners. At this point in their career, the group was solidifying their reputation within the burgeoning UK techno scene, pushing boundaries with their innovative approach to electronic music and establishing themselves as key players alongside contemporaries like Autechre and Orbital.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aphex Twin· Squarepusher· B12
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cost I 5:08
- 2 Cost II 6:34
- 3 4.7.8. 6:15
- 4 The Actor and Audience 5:21
- 5 Jupiler 4:45
- 6 Kings of Sparta 4:14
- 7 Sharp Shooting on Saturn 6:42
- 8 Mango 5:38
- 9 Cycle 7:13
- 10 In the Light of Grey 5:25
- 11 The Crete That Crete Made 5:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.