THE PRETENDERS, “The Isle of View”; ...

THE PRETENDERS, “The Isle of View”; Warner Bros. (*** 1/2)

From its dubious origins as an MTV programming hook, “unplugging” has proven to be one of the more illuminating trends of recent years. In the face of flourishing high-tech sounds, it’s served to remind us that the bare essentials of great music are engaging songs passionately played. Those essentials prevail in this acoustic retrospective of the Pretenders’ 15-year career.

Bolstered by the Duke String Quartet’s evocative strings, these arrangements show off Chrissie Hynde’s songwriting at its best, and highlight the softer edge of her voice. “Private Life” loses nothing in its acoustic translation, taking on a whole new sense of moody intimacy. The cherishing sentiment of “Kid” glimmers dreamily. Where the original “Brass in Pocket” ground along with a compelling pang of youthful desperation, this version struts with a lighter, self-assured step. Several tracks (notably “2000 Miles” and “Criminal”) take on a lilting, vaguely Celtic air, and Hynde’s rendering of Meg Keene’s “Hymn to Her,” accompanied tenderly by Adam Seymour on harmonium, packs a poignancy that’s on a par with “Amazing Grace.”

Latter-day Pretenders material has suffered from a certain lack of focus, but these reminiscences prove that the band’s heart is still in the right place. The group plays the Wiltern on Oct. 30.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four (excellent).