Simple Alternatives to Arduino

Has anyone used these different boards? If so, what did you use them for and why? Which are appropriate for controlling LED's and playing audio files? I'm looking for something basic and cheap that can be permanantly installed in a project.

Alternatives:

TI LaunchPad MSP430
PICAXE
Tinyduino
Ardweeny
AVR Butterfly
Build your own - AVR chip (ATMega328) + programmer & 6-pin header
Other suggestions?
Project Requirements

Need:

Play different audio files at specific times (every hour and half hour). The audio files would be set, play automatically, and never change.
Light up/flash LEDs based on a timed loop. One section of LEDs are lit for 1 hour, then those turn off and a different section of LEDs light up for an hour. Sections would cycle through every 12 hours
Don't Need:

wired interent connection
wireless internet
bluetooth
IR
remotes
sensors
Background Info

I know there are lots of clones and different versions. I have zero direct experience with any of them. Arduino seems like what you would use to build and test prototypes, then use it to design and test something esle. I'm looking for something fairly simple that I use once and then permanently put in a project. I don't need (or want to pay for) all the bells and whistles.