That article answered a lot of questions for me that I suspected, and are now confirmed.
1.Kurt does play fingerstyle on this album
2. I thought there was some kind of sustain pedal, but being "gearheadless" (ha a new word), I found out it's the Eventide Timefactor that allows you to hold chords and play new ones.
3. That Kurt thinks he's better than he used to be, Kurt you are ;)