Going into 2008, the local punk rapper was two years past the outstanding Audition, and the anticipation to find out what was coming next was drawing as tight as a bowstring. Going into 2009, P.O.S. almost certainly is staring down the barrel of major national fame. With his new full-length, Never Better, netting high praise from Pitchfork, a month-long tour in front of ever-growing crowds, and a supporting spot on Atmosphere's April journey across the country, P.O.S. is on that dizzying trail where the unknowable summit just might be within reach at long last. Few deserve it more—his career is built of the old stuff in the old way. Remember talent, hard work, and integrity? Unlike everything else we were taught in high school, turns out this formula still works.