I agree that the bass is definitely not irrelevant in Suede's songs (and I think one of the best arguments for the debut being their best work is because every element does work together, more or less equally), and in fact, Osman would have done the band a great disservice if he had been a Hooky or even Andy Rourke...instead, he gave the band solid but unremarkable bass lines, which is precisely what Suede's songs require, imo.
Ditto with Simon; apart from a few moments (the fills in "So Young"), he never stood out...but that was a good thing. They were a solid rhythm section...but had they had a crack at, say, The Tears' songs, I really don't think "Here Come The Tears" would have sounded much different.
He's Dead has never been one of my favorites, so maybe that's why I don't appreciate it, but I just remember a long instrumental part that sort of bores me.
oh and if you want to hear just how much the bass is a part of Suede's songs listen to the remastered versions - they have become VERY bass heavy to me!!!!
And hey i'd have to admit that despite the greatness of CU and much of HM definitely in terms of creativity Anderson/Butler produced sweeter fruits overall - it's just that as a musician I have a lot more time for Oakesy!!! 
