Funny how a couple of people say Ringo turned their musical worlds upside down... because only now I realize my liking for alternative musicians such as Tori Amos or Kate Bush probably stemmed at the liking of Shiina.
As for Exodus, I like it... I think it was there that she proved what she's capable of, musically (and that at only 21 years, which I think is admirable). I understand if her fans don't like it though... it's a complete departure from her previous works. Without it though, she wouldn't have progressed like she did with said last 2 albums, as kuro_neko's already said.
Speaking about Faye Wong... she basically got me into Cocteau Twins, for which I'll be forever thankful
(and of course she's great herself)