The Bad Wolf Team
- Dec 30, 2023
- 5 min read

Rusty Reid brings back The Classic Rock with his latest release “United States of Selfishness”: A captivating Manifesto of an Atemporal Social Critique.

The history of rock has been as significant to our evolution as scientific discoveries have been, and this genre, in particular, stands out for its wide versatility in allowing talented artists to let their creativity flow with authenticity and uniqueness. It often serves as a vehicle that carries true life testimonies across generations and intense awareness messages, aiming to awaken the thinking and questioning essence of humanity.

Rusty Reid, a true rock icon who has been making waves for decades and has completely shaken the rock scene with his music, has arrived to captivate us all with his latest and most anticipated creation, "United States Of Selfishness." A splendid musical composition of the highest quality, that dazzles not only with its characteristic classic rock sound but also with a modern touch, which delivers an important message seeking to create awareness among listeners.

Join us in the following article where we will delve deep into this incredible piece that Rusty Reid has brought for our auditory delight.

About The Artist

Hailing from the warm and sunny region of Texas, where great artists like Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Jim Seals, and Mac Davis originated, Rusty Reid, a talented singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist specializing in the guitar, emerges as a true icon and advocate of the rock genre. Having been introduced to music at an early age, Rusty has remained active to the present day, becoming a significant figure not only in keeping the name of rock high but also in defining the genre from its early days.

With a vast discography that includes numerous studio releases, promotional singles, and three full-length albums, Rusty Reid has showcased his inexhaustible creativity over the years. He is known for his distinctive sound, skillfully blending genres like country, folk, and rock-pop in his own style, all accompanied by intriguing messages aiming to create a true "awakening" in his audience.

His compositions go beyond common social criticism that merely seeks chaos or rebellion. Rusty Reid's songs have a personal touch, blending philosophical, political, and spiritual aspects from a unique perspective. Together with the music, they touch the innermost fibers of the audience, connecting with them on a profound emotional level, making his message endure beyond chords and notes.

If you want to learn more about Rusty Reid's life, we invite you to visit the following link, where you'll find his complete biography.

About The Release

"United States Of Selfishness," officially released on November 27 under the label Rio Paso Music, stands as Rusty Reid's second release in 2023, following his full-length album "Bayou Line" (Songs From Houston).

In this song, Rusty Reid invites us to immerse ourselves in an thought-provoking experience through a very interesting theme. While it primarily focuses on the political history and current social panorama of the United States, its message transcends borders universally. Addressing issues such as authoritarianism, intolerance, racism, and especially the individualism of society, its characteristic critical yet emotional tone creates a crack in what we perceive as normal in the present day. It urges us to question not only the selfish behavior of society as a whole but also our own actions.

While Rusty states that the main problem stems from the conservative political wing, he skillfully conveys his message using poetic language, numerous analogies, and metaphors. This makes even those who disagree with his opinion listen to his words. It's a key factor for provoking change and demonstrates Rusty's greatness not only as an incredible artist but also as a talented composer. Beyond implanting a message, he invites self-reflection so that individuals find their own truth.

In-Depth Analysis

From its striking artwork, displaying the upside-down U.S. flag, to the characteristic symbols on Rusty's jacket, this release has undoubtedly been conceived with incredible dedication, unifying the proposal even beyond the music and giving rise to a complete conceptual experience. Its title, "United States Of Selfishness," aims to make an impact on contemporary reality from the first second, only to then immerse the listener in an intense sonic journey that challenges not only their beliefs but also moves them with harmonious melodies.

"United States Of Selfishness" starts with a spectacular fade-in effect created entirely from musical instruments, where both percussion and the warm characteristic sound of Rusty's guitar take center stage from the beginning, creating an incredible sense of immersion for the listener. Next, Rusty makes his masterful entrance with his commanding voice, which firmly positions itself over the instrumental base. His meticulously chosen lyrics add deep layers of meaning, not only contextualizing the intense narrative behind this piece but also the origin of the conflict itself: "There's a nation in the balance, there's a country going down, institutions are a-wobbling, there's an evil swirling round."

Rusty does not hesitate to address the issues afflicting modern society with incredible bravery, questioning everything from the functioning of the state and its policies that incentivize selfishness to the behavior of individuals and how we have accepted this way of living as entirely normal in our daily lives. His message is undoubtedly timeless, as regardless of our societal progress over the years, it seems that selfishness is an intrinsic characteristic of human beings that resists evolution.

This song is one that you can listen to 30 years from now, and its message will still be relevant. However, it holds particular significance in today's world, where we can clearly observe how humanity is becoming increasingly idiotic and dehumanized each day, largely due to personal comforts and the corrosive nature of the materialistic culture that prevails in our current times.

Musically speaking, the combination of the brilliant sound of the acoustic guitar along with a gentle electric guitar tone, weaving an atmosphere with prolonged notes, functions as a successful musical formula. Together, they create like a 'prelude' for Rusty's message to resonate powerfully, making it almost impossible not to pay attention to each of his words with diligence. From a technical perspective, this is undoubtedly a challenging aspect to achieve in terms of composition and production, especially in contemporary music, where there is a palpable absence of dynamic range, and sonic nuances seem nonexistent. "United States Of Selfishness," on the other hand, stands out for its organic sound and its leisurely rhythm, independent of carrying an intense theme. It leaves enough space for all instruments to be appreciated clearly in the mix, also creating the perfect stage to carry its message high. This highlights Rusty's great musical experience in creating true masterpieces, an experience he has gained over the years through his passionate relationship with music and is undeniable when experiencing this true rock gem.

"United States Of Selfishness" is a song that constantly oscillates between calm sections and euphoria. However, it has a characteristic trait that sets it above other compositions—the feeling of progression that the artist conveys through its structure. It seems that, regardless of these oscillations, the song always increases its intensity, creating a dynamic panorama that keeps the listener captivated throughout its duration. It skillfully culminates in wonderful instrumental spaces where Rusty treats us to one of his best guitar solos (3:12), which has everything a true rock lover would wish for!

"This song teaches us what is truly important in our lives. It invites us to hit the brakes in a world that is racing at full speed, to return to our roots and embrace our organic and wild essence, where the existence of each human being is immensely meaningful both to themselves and to serve and help others along the way."

- The Bad Wolf Records Team

We invite our entire community of listeners and readers to take a moment to appreciate this true gem that Rusty Reid has brought for our auditory delight. Also, explore his entire discography, which is undoubtedly worth listening to. Follow Rusty Reid on his social media channels to stay updated on his latest news and new releases.