By Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer Published Sep 17, 2011 at 1:01 PM

A year after giving a new sheen to its early work on "Regrooved," a collaboration with Milwaukee's Janzyk, Brew City/K.C. ambientologist duo Cyberchump is already back with not one, but two CDs.

"Their Moment of Perfect Happiness" – on the Internal Combustion imprint – starts with a first disc, called "Now," that is uptempo, with trippy beats and grooves; swirling wah guitars; low, bubbling bass; and futuristic keyboard figures.

Disc two, "If," is more ominous and, more introspective, more atmospheric.

The discs are the work of Milwaukee's Mark G.E. and Kansas City, Mo.-based Jim Skeel.

Though "Their Moment of Perfect Happiness" arrives just a year after "ReGrooved," G.E. says it's been in the works for a while.

"The album took three years to complete," he says. "The last two years was focused on mixing. The work is a double album in the old school way of making complete albums that you sit down and listen to, like Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' or something of that nature. It takes you on a musical journey. The original concept of the music was to create a work based on a dystopian future.

"Jim and I got interested in the Gaia hypothesis, which presents the idea that the Earth is a self-regulating system that can heal itself. But recent thoughts about what humans are doing to the planet suggest that perhaps Earth can't recover from our damage. Hence, the cover of the album which is humans having to wear a space suit to survive."

Although the music isn't ponderous and plodding, G.E. acknowledges that the concept sounds a little heavy.

"Certainly, we are being humorous at the same time. We understand the pomposity of doing a concept album, much less a double disc, and hope the listeners will know we are giving them a wink, and go along for the ride and enjoy the fun of a large-form work like this," he says.

"We are at once sending a message, while also spoofing how these kind of concepts albums get heavy with 'a message.' So it is serious and yet tongue in cheek at the same time. Our fans are smart, so I think everyone involved gets it at that level. I think as long as we keep a good sense of humor, it is a lot more fun."

G.E. says the record was mostly created out in the ether, with he and Skeel working collaboratively over the Internet. But, despite this long-distance communication, the duo works in a fairly traditional way, making the most of what the studio gear has to offer.

"Jim and I use the studio as an instrument in addition to the actual traditional instruments we play," says G.E. "We are known for mutli-layers and numerous instruments on every disc with several guest players. On this release we limited ourselves to only a couple instruments each, and no guest musicians.

"It is the most cohesive work we have done. I think that listeners will appreciate the 'production' of the work. We spent a lot of time with the sound. The music starts fairly mechanized, electronic, danceable then slowly moves to becoming much more organic, earthy."

Because it was conceived and created as a unified work, G.E. says "Their Moment of Perfect Happiness" will most satisfy listeners who take the time to focus on the music.

"This work is the kind of album you can sit down on the couch and listen to in its entirety and be transported," he says, adding that he and Skeel also wanted to create an interactive experience with listeners.

"We are hoping listeners will send us their stories, where they took the music and what happens. It is open-ended ... a conversation. Like our relationship with Earth, a fork in the road requiring our decision.

"We have provided the music and concept, but want to encourage the listener to develop the story."

You can find "Their Moment of Perfect Happiness" on the band's website, at iTunes, Amazon and other online sources.

Get a taste of the double-disc here.

Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.

He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.

With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.

He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.

In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.

He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.