SAN FRANCISCO – In a recent public statement the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criticized the popular music blog Mike Went West over its “wasteful and unsustainable practices.” The agency specifically mentioned the Mike Mix production process, in which company policy strictly prohibits the recycling of songs. The EPA alleges that this policy has “resulted in dozens of perfectly good tracks being thrown away simply because they’ve been used once before.”

Mike Went West has not officially responded to the EPA’s allegations, though in past statements the blog justified its anti-recycling policy, saying it was “essential to satisfying customers’ insatiable appetites for new music.”

Recent activity on the blog, however, hints at a possible shift in policy. The track list for Mike Mix 17, the latest installment in the series, features only songs from previous mixes. Some are calling it a ‘best of’ compilation. Others are calling it a cheap ploy intended to appease the EPA and calm skittish investors. Either way, Mike Mix 17 has been wildly successful. Rolling Stone writes, “The mix effortlessly blends seemingly incompatible genres of music to make a delicious and strangely-satisfying sonic smoothie.”

In unrelated news, the blog is rumored to be redesigning its website. If true, it will be the site’s third iteration since launching back in 2006. True to recent form, Mike Went West has remained silent on the issue. Analysts predict a launch date sometime in August. Perhaps this rumored redesign explains the recent lack of activity on the site. One can only hope.

[Editor's Note: Just in case it wasn't entirely obvious, the above story is completely fabricated. Mike Mix 17, however, is very real. Download or stream it using the links below. Enjoy!]

• 1. Spoon – Metal Detektor
• 2. Modest Mouse – Broke
• 3. Ten Kens – Y’all Come Back Now
• 4. The National – Available
• 5. Brand New – Bought a Bride
• 6. Arctic Monkeys – Dance Little Liar
• 7. Interpol – NYC
• 8. The Antlers – Two
• 9. Monsters of Folk – Temazcal
• 10. Annuals – Always Do
• 11. Deer Tick – Smith Hill
• 12. Yarn – Lies I’ve Told
• 13. Iron & Wine – Love Vigilantes
• 14. Old Crow Medicine Show – Wagon Wheel
• 15. Justin Townes Earle – A Desolate Angels Blues
• Download entire mix