I really like this record. No-one else does? Oh well.
My favourite track is Memory of love. A close listens reveals it to have a definite C&W edge, and it's also slightly R&B. Checkout the songs fade-out. A four-strong choir singing the chorus and Elton going all over the place with his voice, that is so R&B. But it's not a song that is overtly C&W or overtly R&B, it is subtle, not looking for praise, unlike 'Take me back' or 'Club at the end of the street'. It's also not a catchy song, so it's not one that'll stick in your head easily. It's something subtle that passes over with a casual listen. I like the guitar sound used on the fadeout, high pitched and twangy, quite unusual. The song has a dream-like quality which compliments the lyric about things being a "memory" rather than "reality" but the lyrics don't really make sense, perhaps adding to the songs uncommercial feel. The song is in 3/4 time, unlike most pop-ballads, which are in 4/4 time. Elton's vocal is moving, and perhaps the deepest of all his lower register efforts. It's quite an unusual vocal too. Other standout's are I fall apart and Paris, they wouldn't be out of place on Big Picture. Paris is slightly European and perhaps at home on 'The Fox' as well. All three are very deep, thoughtful and moving songs, even if they aren't popular! Gypsy Heart is an interesting slice of Gospel. I like the 'arms as warm as mine' and 'back against the wall!' bits. The other songs are fun rockers, Angeline is possibly my favourite, it is pretty silly but covers all the characteristic riffs of late 50's po[o]p. But then I also love Go it alone, which takes the old twelve bar blues and gives it a dark twist. It also features some pretty heavy guitar jams. So does Don't trust that woman which has a really cool guitar effect and Davey's solo is great. Plus it has this hypnotic chorus and a slight Jamaican feel. And the title track is highly energetic. The lyrics by the way are mocking people who are 'stuck in the past', they are not about the past. 'Is the Golden age dead and gone are the hands stuck on the clock?' Heartache all over the world is 80's pop, the lyrics are actually quite amusing at times. I love the songs guitar solo.

I didn't like the album when I first listened but I listened a month later and it sounded pretty good. Make what you want of that!

In many countries around the world this album sold very well at the time it was released.It is not a bad album.It does take a number of listens before it grows on you.Many of elton johns albums years later are appreciated and this means that in my opinion he is always years ahead of the music of the year he releases his albums.During the 80s it was only in america elton did not have a top ten album.In many countries around the world he had many top ten albums.A good example of this is Australia.In australia during the 80s these albums made top ten:
Jump Up,Too Low For Zero,Breaking Hearts,Ice On Fire,Leather Jackets,Live In Australia,Reg Strikes Back,Sleeping With The Past And a year later in 1990 Sleeping With The Past Made Number One.

Older Elton John fans would take a weaker opinion to this work, as the production, instrumentation and vocals work to different concepts to his early seventies material. Yes this album is big on production, but being a teenager of the early 80's, that's what I love.

Many critics have taken a hard chord to Elton's Geffen Years, (1979-1986). This for me was Elton at his Peak. Much of his seventies material had a degree of a somewhat dated production sound. Albums like "21 at 33", "The Fox", "Jump up", "Too low For Zero", "Breaking hearts" and "Ice on Fire" demonstrated John's talent at full potential. "Leather Jackets" is no exception.

The album's lead in track "Leather Jackets" jumps with lively upbeat tempos, follow by the smooth chilling sound of "hoop of fire". The uptown-rocking "don't trust that woman" continues the varying sound palette of this album. Other selections that make this recording a real star include "heartaches over the world", "Do it again", the beautifully crafted "Gypsy heart", "Slow rivers" performed with Cliff Richard, "Angeline", "Memory of love", and the emotionally wrenching "I fall apart". This disc was recorded close to John's throat surgery of 1987, but is not evident at all on this album. This would have to be one of Elton's all-time top three albums. "Don't trust that woman" was written by 60's songstress Cher, and other contributions came from long time partners Bernie Taupin, and Gary Osbourne.

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Well, now. Some CD's like "Sgt. Pepper" and "Born to Run" are called masterpieces. Yeah, right. THIS is a masterpiece! Just one note of "Slow Rivers" with another legend, Cliff Richard and I'm swooning with delight! Truth is I simply fall apart with "I Fall Apart." Songs like "Memory of Love" are right up there with "Yesterday", "Imagine" and "Lola." And "Go It Alone" stands right beside "Kashmir" "All Along the Watch Tower," and of course, "Barracuda." TIMELESS! I even framed the back cover of the LP...Elton's hairy chest is just too much to handle! And Fred Mandel...5 stars unto himself. PLAY IT LOUD! and OFTEN!

Everyone knows this ain't one of the best Elton albums-- he regularly disowns it during interviews-- but it does have some great material on it. Why is 'Victim Of Love' remastered and not 'Leather Jackets'? It's about as good as 'Ice On Fire' and 'Breaking Hearts'. Songs like 'Paris', 'Slow Rivers' and 'Angeline' deserve better treatment, along with those missing b-sides. Rocket has done a fine job with all those discs missed by the so-called Classic Years. Get onto it, Rocket!