My modicum of internet research revealed that history has given us several bands named Karen: from Oakland, from Japan, and this one is from New Haven, Conn. Karen has a mid-’90s crust punk sound and they’re really good at it: heavy, muddy, and threatening. They sound so much like Milwaukee’s crusty goodness Downer that I had to check and make sure Matt S. wasn’t the frontman here. Good stuff, but now I fear I’ll credit Karen with Downer songs and vice versa. Comes with a download card. –The Lord Kveldulfr (No address listed)