For the third straight year, Information Leafblower has queried fellow music bloggers and compiled a list of the best bands in America. Without further ado, here's the indie rock-heavy top ten (of the 40 he listed):

1. Sufjan Stevens
2. The National
3. Kayne West
4. LCD Soundsytem
5. Sleater-Kinney
6. The Hold Steady
7. Green Day
8. Fiery Furnaces
9. The Decemberists
10. Spoon

There were some surprises. Last year's #1, Ted Leo, was nowhere to be found this year. That's textbook blogger burnout. More blogger burnout can b seen in the exclusion of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, an indie success that is being hurt by its own buzz (its tepid live show doesn't help, either). The Pixies, which was on its reunion tour when it came in at #6 last year, is nowhere to be found this year despite a 2005 of more touring and a live DVD release on Rhino. Eminem? Number 25 last year, not on the list this year.

We Are Scientists came in at #22 even though they have spent most of 2004 in Europe and won't have an American release for their album until January. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin will have a few readers scratching their heads. And Wilco must have had a tough year, placing at #36 this year versus #2 last year.

Largehearted Boy, one of the panelists, posted his nominations and a few words on each.