Manchester’s Moe’s Haven heeded the call to musical arms for last February’s RPM Challenge, and basically they’ve never looked back. They have since vowed to record 365 albums before the end of 2006.

Yikes. The latest offering to be printed is a tribute to their hometown, “September: In Manchvegas.” It’s an amusing lounge pop CD that celebrates various locations and folks of note in Manchester with organ, bass and piano plunking and tinkling away in the background.. “The Red Arrow Diner” recounts Songwriter Matt Farley’s love of “Johnny’s chicken tenders” and mentions the pictures of Al Gore and Adam Sandler on the wall along with a suggestion that the diner add some musicians, namely, Moe’s Haven. Adam Sandler is a popular topic, including on “Adam Sandler Visits Manchvegas,” and where else can you get lines like the deadpan delivery of “I said, hey man /hey man / I work in the same town as Dean Ka-men. Manchvegas” There is some seriously funny stuff on this disc. Leave them a song idea on their studio line, at 603-644-0048, or in their guest book at www.moeshaven.com.

Another Manchester band, Veridical, recently released their “Advantage” EP (www.v4music.com). It’s a brooding, dark and rocking five-song collection that should appeal to fans of Tool. Synthesizers and keys churn just below the surface as acoustic guitars appear out of the grinding electric guitars and vocalist Dana Briere growls, whispers, croons and shouts. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into the arrangements. This isn’t your average three chord wonder rock. The guitar tones change as often as the time—here are more signatures than the Declaration of Independence. Good stuff. keep an eye out.

Well as usual, stuff falls through the cracks on my desk. Happily, Harvey Reid and Joyce Andersen’s “Kindling the Fire” CD resurfaced recently (www.woodpecker.com, www.joyscream.com). For the many who are familiar with Reid and Andersen’s prodigious catalog of fine acoustic music, this fine CD won’t come as a surprise. It’s another killer offering. The traditional number, “Jack of Diamonds” opens the set. Andersen’s fiddle dances with Reid’s mandolin as the husband and wife team harmonize beautifully. The originals are second to none as well. Andersen’s crystal vocals soar above “Church Bells,” one of her two stellar offerings, as Reid’s slide guitar and finger picking add just the right accompaniment. Another victory for the Reid/Andersen camp.