The band had added second guitarist David Galt since their previous year's release, the eight-song EP Star Booty.

[1] Umber was first released in 1989 on LP by Glitterhouse Records with an all yellowish-umber colored cover with the band's name and album title set in a small bold font at its center.

The record's 10 tracks were paired with the band's previous eight-song EP, Star Booty, and issued by Communion on cassette and CD that same year.

In 2011, Umber was remastered by Alan Douches and released in a box-set containing with the rest of the band's catalog.

[4] All songs written by Bitch Magnet The 2011 box-set also contains alternate versions "Motor", "Joan of Arc", "Big Pining", "Joyless Street" and "Punch and Judy".