The bass feels like its behind but it ain't. It is played right on the beat but the snare on top of the beat gives the illusion of laid back to me.
+1. I'd agree. The bassist is Mark Andes and he's just playing a simple pedal line on beat but the way the drummer is playing gives it that laid back pocket. It's not pushed at all.
Mark was the bassist in Firefall during their hey day before he joined Heart and I know him from that connection. He's a very tasteful player. You can listen to some of his stuff on their recordings. He does a particularly nice job on Mexcio.
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CV 60's Jazz Bass, GK MB112 Combo