The second Blur album , '' Modern Life Is Rubbish '' , was released in May 1993 and peaked at number 15 on the British charts , but failed to break into the US '' Billboard '' 200 , selling only 19,000 copies . Despite the album 's poor performance , Albarn was happy with the band 's direction and wrote prolifically for Blur 's next album . '' Parklife '' was released in 1994 and revived Blur 's commercial fortunes , with the album 's first single , the disco-influenced " Girls & Boys " , achieving critical acclaim and chart success . '' Parklife '' entered the British charts at number one and stayed in the album charts for 90 weeks . Enthusiastically greeted by the music press , '' Parklife '' is regarded as one of Britpop 's defining records . Blur won four awards at the 1995 Brit Awards , including Best British Group and British Album of the Year for '' Parklife '' . Coxon later pointed to '' Parklife '' as the moment when " Blur went from being regarded as an alternative , leftfield arty band to this amazing new pop sensation " . Albarn was uncomfortable with fame , however , and he suffered from panic attacks
1995 Brit Awards
1995 Brit Awards
Damon Albarn