The Rhodes, rock quartet hailing from Brooklyn and New Paltz, show a little soft side with a release of all acoustic material on “The Acoustic.” Subdued and sentimental, The Rhodes’ record boasts vocal richness and instrumental nuance. Despite its muddy quality, a live, in-studio version of the band’s gypsy-style “Sweet Shady Lady” remains charming BECAUSE of its unprocessed form. The cleverly titled, “When She Ghost,” and its catching, temperate bossa nova beat, segues into “She Had to Leave,” which channels doo-wop harmonies and lovesick lyrics. “Lauretta” carries on as a charming serenade until the end when it trails off into spooky vocal repetitions. The tracks promptly shift to the musically uplifting, lyrically somber “After It’s Over” and ethereal, poetic “I’ll Be Around,” which drifts into a few measures of unexplained tribal drumming. “Don’t Be Late” embarks with loops of the melody gone backwards and settles into The Rhodes’ cheery saunter before closing the array of acoustics. Rest easy with The Rhodes and check them out live at their New Paltz show on September 10. – Meijin Bruttomesso