 A few critics considered the album not as inspired as the band 's previous work . Kyle Anderson of Spin wrote that " two @-@ thirds of these tracks sound a lot like songs Grohl has done before " , considering that album 's strengths came from " the handful of songs that deviate from the wallop 'n'wail template " . Allmusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine also felt the rock songs were not as remarkable " compared to the almost effortlessly engaging melodies of the softer songs " , ultimately describing Echoes , Silence , Patience & Grace as " just another Foo Fighters album instead of the consolidation of strengths that it was intended to be " . Pitchfork Media 's Adam Moerder considered that the album " feels like a retread " and that the band was " sounding less and less relatable " , with innefective acoustic tracks and rock songs that " sound cold and detached compared to heart @-@ wrenching Foo pop gems like ' Big Me ' or ' Everlong ' " . While Sputnikmusic reviewer John Hanson was acceptive of the rock songs , where he felt " the boys are most comfortable " , he considered that the songwriting " has just become stale " and ultimately described Echoes , Silence , Patience & Grace as " extremely boring and uninspired " . PopMatters ' Josh Timmermann was very critical of the overtly serious tone of the record compared to the lighthearted work the band had done before , joking that the title of " Cheer Up , Boys " " sounds like the suggestion of a concerned fan for a band he or she used to actually care about . " 
