"The Great Escape" was released in September 1995 to positive reviews, and entered the UK charts at number one. However, opinion quickly changed and Blur found themselves largely out of favour with the media. Following the worldwide success of Oasis' "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?", the media quipped that Blur "wound up winning the battle but losing the war". Blur became perceived as an "inauthentic middle-class pop band" in comparison to the "working-class heroes" Oasis, which Albarn said made him feel "stupid and confused". Bassist James said: "After being the People's Hero, Damon was the People's Prick for a short period ... basically, he was a loser – very publicly."