The Lion and The Witch was a special EP released by Weezer on September 24, 2002.
In early summer 2002, Geffen Records, the band's label, came to the band asking for an EP to be released in limited quantity and only available in independent retail stores. The EP was in reaction to the label doing EPs with other artists that are only available at say Best Buy or K-mart or Wal-Mart etc.. CIMS and Music Monitor, two groups of unified independent retailers, approached Geffen asking to have the same treatment with Weezer since the band was so popular in more independent stores.
The band recorded their 2002 Japanese tour for the purpose of using the live tracks for what is now known as The Lion and The Witch. While the live shows were being compiled, the band also commissioned an illustrator and planned a special package (as opposed to the traditional jewel case). Geffen came back to the band and said the package was too expensive and the number of songs on the EP needed to be reduced from eight songs to six as to not upset the other retailers who wouldn't be getting the disc. Weezer did not want to back down on the issue of the artwork, but understood the impact of having more than six songs. After further discussions with the label, the Geffen agreed to the roll with the planned special packaging but only if the band agreed to reduce the number of songs. In reality though, the number of songs was be seven, as one was a "hidden track"
The Lion and The Witch was only released in the United States and was limited to a pressing of 25,000 copies. It was not be available from internet retailers or big chain stores, only at certain independent record shops. A complete listing of these stores is available at www.weezer.com.
There are no stores in Chicago or the surrounding area that are carrying the album. /me is not happy.
Track Listing:
- Dope Nose (the song "Polynesia" is used as the intro and counts as the "hidden track")
- Island in the Sun
- Falling For You
- Death and Destruction
- El Scorcho
- Holiday