I'm in your court Tatsujin. You're not alone 
I also preferred Sheryl over Ranka.
But man, this is one of those shows you know will never have a second season, but you want one bad, if not for the music alone. And I don't even listen to anime music.
I'm actually on Macross Zero, very very beautiful graphics. I remember dropping this around episode 4 (back then I was an anime newb). So ... Sara's Father is the voice actor of Kotomine from Fate/Stay Night!!!
And yes, if it wasn't for the music ... I don't think it would have received high ratings and such. I'm looking forward to the movie. I hope they add couple of new songs and do a state or two for Sheryl. Which Macross talks more about Sheryl's family? At least there is some connection between Macross Zero and Macross Frontier.
Edit -- Finished Macross Zero. So what the hell happened to
Sara and Shin?! ....
Onto the next series, was it SDF Macross? Nevermind. I can't even watch something this old ... extremely bad in everything ... I looked over Macross 7, I don't have a taste of watching it now. ;[