 Grohl tried to focus on songs with messages that resonated with his audience, writing reflective lyrics which drew inspiration from the birth of his daughter.Critical reception to "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace" was mostly positive, with praise to the sonic variety and songwriting, though some reviewers found the record inconsistent and uninspired.The album topped the charts in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Austria, and had three successful singles, "The Pretender", "Long Road to Ruin" and "Let It Die".